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Trypanosoma musculi: influence of uric acid on in vitro formation of metacyclic trypomastigotes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

M. Roger
Affiliation:
Département de Microbiologie et d'Immunologie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, succursale ‘A’, Montréal, P.Q. H3C 3J7
P. Viens
Affiliation:
Département de Microbiologie et d'Immunologie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, succursale ‘A’, Montréal, P.Q. H3C 3J7

Summary

Uric acid is the most important constituent in the urine of insects. Infective metacyclic forms of the stercorarian trypanosomes are produced in the rectum of their insect vector and are thus in contact with uric acid. Using a culture system which permitted the growth of the insect stages of Trypanosoma musculi, we studied the influence of uric acid on the metacyclogenesis of this parasite. When added to the culture, uric acid enhanced the production of metacyclic forms. Furthermore, it rendered these trypanosomes highly infective by the oral route. It is suggested that uric acid may play an important role on the metacyclogenesis of T. musculi.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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