Ability of Endamoeba histolytica to Phagocytose Red Blood Cells.

Abstract

The ability of Endamoeba histolytica cultured in the Shaffer-Frye medium to phagocytose rabbit red blood cells was investigated. It was found that the phagocytic index was quite constant under standard conditions. If anti-amebic drugs were added to cultures of E. histolytica, there was a progressive decrease in phagocytic index with increased drug concn. The nature of the activity of the drugs appeared to differ, since Aureomycin and ilotycin had the same effect on 2 hr. exposure as on 20 hr. exposure of the amebae while Terramycin, emetine and Fumagillin had a progressively greater effect after the 20-hr. exposure. Further expts. showed that exposure of the amebae to specific anti-amebic rabbit serum caused a marked reduction in the phagocytic index.