Damage to Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae by eosinophil major basic protein
Wassom, D.L.; Gleich, G.J.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 28(5): 860-863
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 484767 Document Number: 153553
When newborn larvae of Trichinella spiralis were cultured in media containing eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) at a concentration of 5 X 10-5M, all the larvae were damaged and appeared to be dead after 24 hours. This effect was seen as early as 2 hours after treatment when the larvae became progressively more stiffened and sluggish. Larvae in control cultures and in cultures containing equimolar concentrations of other basic proteins failed to exhibit such damage and remained alive and wriggling for 48 hours or longer. Of the other proteins tested, only polyarginine at 5 X 10-5M had a measurable effect on the larvae and about 20% were immobile after 24 hours. Damage to the larvae by MBP was independent of the 3 culture media used and altering the pH of the culture medium without the addition of MBP or other basic protein had no effect on the larvae over a pH range of 7.1 to 8.3.