Effect of Polyions, Ca ++ , and Enzymes on Penetration of Cultured Cells by Eimeria meleagrimitis Sporozoites

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Abstract
Cell cultures from kidneys of turkeys were treated with 4 cations, 2 polyanions, or 2 proteolytic enzymes and then inoculated with E. meleagrimitis sporozoites. After a 20 min incubation, cultures treated with 3 of the cations (poly-L-histidine, poly-L-lysine, or Ca2+) or with chymotrypsin contained significantly fewer intracellular sporozoites than did the untreated control cultures. Increases in the concentration of poly-L-histidine or chymotrypsin produced linear decreases in the numbers of sporozoites. In contrast, after a 2 h incubation, treated and control cultures contained the same numbers of intracellular sporozoites. Treatment of cell cultures with the 4th cation (DEAE-dextran) the 2 polyanions (heparin or dextran sulfate), or trypsin did not significantly affect the numbers of sporozoites after either 20 min or 2 h incubation. Sporozoites pretreated with poly-L-histidine. Ca2+, or chymotrypsin for 20 min and then inoculated into untreated cultures were found intracellulars in the same numbers as were untreated sporozoites. Apparently, the reduced number of intracellular sporozoites in treated cultures resulted from interactions between the treatment substances and the host cells, and was not caused by immobilization of the parasite.