Reticulo-Endothelial Activity in Haemamoeba (=Plasmodium) gallinacea Infections |
| |
| Authors: | F. E. G. COX T. NICOL D. L. J. BILBEY |
| |
| Affiliation: | Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, King's College of the University of London, England |
| |
| Abstract: | SYNOPSIS. The effect of H. gallinacea infection on the phagocytic activity of the reticulo-endothelial system in chicks has been investigated. Changes occurring in the pattern of R.E. activity show that there is initial stimulation of phagocytosis within 24 hr and that this increases up to the 4th and 5th days after which time parasites appear in the blood. Thereafter there is a rapid drop in R.E. activity with a proportional increase in parasitaemia following which death ensues. The importance of the protective value of the reticulo-endothelial system is indicated and it is suggested that a toxin produced by the parasites or by their break-down products is the likely cause of phagocytic depression. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
