This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Anziano, D. F. Articles by Vásquez, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Anziano, D. F. Articles by Vásquez, C.

Role of Complement in Immune Lysis of Trypanosoma cruzi

^a Institute of Medical Research and Institute of General Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, and Institute of Biology and Experimental Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina

ABSTRACT

Studies were performed on the mechanism of immune lysis of culture forms of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi. Antibody-mediated lysis is caused by complement, which is activated via the classical pathway. The properdin system is not required. The kinetics of the reaction is similar to that followed by immune lysis of sensitized sheep erythrocytes, as is the concentration of divalent cations required for optimal lysis (0.15 mM Ca²⁺ and 0.5 mM Mg²⁺), the occurrence of cell membrane uptake of the complement components C3 and C4, and the development of characteristic ultrastructural modifications on the cell membrane.

¹ Present address: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Veterans Hospital, Minneapolis, Minn. 55417.