Expert: Walter Hintz - 5/14/2010

Question
Hi Mr.Hints                                                       have question about the assay i am writing on and it is about the Toxoplasma gondii my teacher says that the tachyzoite stage of this parasite can not invade the human erythrocytes she wants to know why is that and i swear i have looked and searched  every where but it is all in vain.so please mr.hints tell me why tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii can not invade RBCs?             Thank you

Answer
Hi Mina
 This parasite can enter the immature erythrocytes but not the mature RBCs. This because there is a change in specific proteins in the cell membrane of the red cell. In a sense it becomes a mechanical problem. You can check this out here
 mic.sqmjournals.org.cgi/content/abstract/113/2/433