RESUMO
Background. The cell wall of Entamoeba invadens cysts is composed of chitin microfibrils as the main structural component. It has been demonstrated in yeast that the chitin cell wall assembly is altered by dyes such as Congo red (CR) and Calcofluor. Methods. The purpose of this work was to study the cell wall assambly under the effect of CR dye on encysting E. invadens by means of light and electron microscopy, after the ammebas were subjected to the effect of 100-2,000 µg CR/mL. Experiments were performed either in BI-S-33 or in mLG media. Results. Trophozoit growth was not inhibited by 100-1,000 µg/mL CR after 8 days of incubation in BI-S-33 medium. However, low levels of growth were observed with 2,000 µg/mL of dye. No significant differences in morphologically viable (hyaline) cyst production occurred after 24-48 hm when 100 µg CR/mL was used, while the highest concentration of CR (2,000 µg/mL) resulted in a significant decrease of hyaline cyst yield; dead cysts prevailed in cultures, particularly at 72 h of CR treatment. Differentiation of amebas incubated in the presence of 500-2,000 µg/mL CR produced abnormal chitin deposits, rendering irregulary thick or double cell walls, as shown by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Cyst cultures obtained under 100 µg/mL CR produced as many trophozoites as did the control when they were incubated in BI-S-33, but only low numbers of trophozoites were found in culture cysts obtained under higher CR doses. Conclusion. Our results suggest that CR affects E. invadens encystment, alters the cell wall formation, and also affects the cyst viability