THE USE OF PHOSPHORUS 32 IN STUDIES ON PLASMODIUM GALLINACEUM

Abstract

Upon incubation in the presence of p32, chicken erythrocytes parasitized with P. gallinaceum developed higher levels of the isotope than did normal cells. The difference was most marked when the activities of the nucleic acid fractions, in particular the desoxypentose nucleic acids (DNA) were compared. The extent of P incorporation into DNA correlated closely with estimates of parasite growth and development based on stained film examinations. This was true of both intact cells and prepns. in which the host cells had been ruptured by lysis without apparent damage to the parasites. The method affords a sensitive and objective means of studying parasite growth in vitro.