ABSTRACT
Sporozoite extracts of E. vermiformis, E. stiedai, and E. tenella are rich in acid phosphatase activity. They contain specific enzyme activities equal to or greater than those reported for other highly virulent protozoan parasites. The absolute amount of enzyme activity per oocyst dramatically increases during sporulation of E. stiedai and E. vermiformis. Partial characterization of the acid phosphatase activity of E. vermiformis indicates that sporozoites account for greater than 92% of the total activity in sporulated oocysts, that the enzyme is resistant to inhibition by tartrate, and that it can be separated into two forms by anion exchange chromatography.
Subject(s)
Acid Phosphatase/metabolism , Eimeria/enzymology , Animals , Chromatography, Ion Exchange , Eimeria/physiology , Hydrolases/metabolism , Solubility , Species Specificity , SporesABSTRACT
This report describes a new, gentle procedure for rapid and efficient excystation of large numbers of infective sporozoites of Eimeria vermiformis and Eimeria stiedai. Excysted sporozoites are purified using modifications of a previously described ion-exchange chromatography method. The procedure avoids physical breakage of oocysts and results in greater than 70% recovery of the sporozoites present as sporulated oocysts (i.e. 5-6 sporozoites per sporulated oocyst). The recovered sporozoites are greater than 95% pure and are infective in vivo. We routinely isolate greater than 2 x 10(8) sporozoites without the use of specialized or expensive equipment.
