title: Brain-tissue cysts in rats infected with the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii.
abstract: Virulent strains of the coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii become attenuated so as to survive and complete their life cycle; however, it is not known whether the attenuation process is attributable to an innate cystogenic capacity of the parasite or to host-induced mechanisms. This report presents direct evidence of RH cystogenesis in non-immunised Fischer rats and subsequent attenuation of RH pathogenicity in non-immunised mice following a single passage through rats. Taken together, these preliminary observations tend to suggest that at least one mechanism of T. gondii involves intermediate host attenuation.
authors.affiliation: Départment de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire, CNRS URA 1344, Faculté de Médecine, Université Joseph Fourier, La Tronche, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lecomte
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Chumpitazi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pasquier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ambroise-Thomas
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santoro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology*; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344 / Q000469:parasitology*; D012692:Serial Passage; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M