Twenty Trypanosoma cruzi stocks attributed to the 19, 20, 39, and 32 clonal genotypes were comparatively studied in BALB/c mice during the acute and chronic phases of the infection to test the working hypothesis that T. cruzi clonal structure has a major impact on its biological properties. Fourteen parameters were assayed: (1) infectivity; (2) prepatent period; (3) patent period; (4) maximum o...

Parasite life-history characteristics, the environment, and host defenses determine variation in parasite population parameters across space and time. Parasite abundance and distribution have received little attention despite their pervasive effects on host populations and community dynamics. We used analyses of variance to estimate the variability of intensity, prevalence, and abundance of 4 s...

The influence of several factors on parasite growth and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) for chloroquine was assessed. Most isolates stored at 4 degrees C up to 72 hours grew when they were subsequently cultivated. However, parasite viability sharply decreased from 24 hours, and the mean chloroquine IC(50) decreased significantly (P < 0.05). There was no evidence for selection of pre-cultu...

We investigated the in vivo antimalarial activities of pefloxacin and ciprofloxacin in Swiss albino mice infected intravenously with 5 x 10(6) Plasmodium yoelii N67 parasites 1 h before treatment. Groups of 20 mice received a subcutaneous injection of 40, 80, or 160 mg of ciprofloxacin or pefloxacin per kg of body weight every 8 h for 3 days. Parasitologic activity was assessed on day 4, and su...

Iron chelators have been employed in various studies aimed at evaluating the relationship between the iron status of the host and the development of infection. In the present study, the effects of benznidazole (BZ) therapy in combination with the iron chelator desferrioxamine (DFO) on the development of infection in mice inoculated with Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain have been investigated. Infecte...

We describe a new species of Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890 from great frigatebirds (Fregata minor [Gmelin]) captured on Tern Island-French Frigate Shoals and Laysan Island in Hawaii. Parasite prevalence on Laysan Island (35%) was not significantly different than that of Tern Island (36%). On Laysan, prevalence was highest in juveniles (52%), followed by adult males (29%) and adult females (19%). Pre...

The antibody response to sporozoites of Plasmodium falciparum and the role of these antibodies in protection against malaria have not been systematically investigated. An understanding of antisporozoite antibodies in natural infection is, however, important to the development of a human malaria vaccine. In a prospective study in Thailand, an antibody response to sporozoites was observed only in...

Antigens were purified from extracts of Trypanosoma lewisi on immunoadsorbent columns of trypanostatic immunoglobulin G eluted from parasite surface coats at 8 days postinfection. Eight absorbed proteins, with molecular weights between 15,000 and 70,000, were identified. These surface coat antigens (SCAgs) were then used to immunize rats. After immunization, sera were assayed in vitro for level...

The aim of the present study was to assess the pharmacokinetics and the efficacy of a shorter than usual 5-day quinine treatment given orally to children in Cameroon with malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Quinine (8.3 mg of base per kg of body weight every 8 h) was administered as a 2% formiate salt syrup for 5 days to 30 children (age range, 0.55 to 6.7 years) with uncomplicated falcipa...

Senicapoc, a Gardos channel inhibitor, prevented erythrocyte dehydration in clinical trials of patients with sickle cell disease. We tested the hypothesis that senicapoc-induced blockade of the Gardos channel inhibits Plasmodium growth. Senicapoc inhibited in vitro growth of human and primate plasmodia during the clinical blood stage. Senicapoc treatment suppressed P. yoelii parasitemia in vivo...