title: Decoquinate induces tissue cyst formation by the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii.
abstract: Decoquinate is an anticoccidial agent that inhibits respiration in the parasites mitochondrion. We examined human foreskin fibroblast cell cultures infected with the normally tissue cyst-less RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii and treated with decoquinate for evidence of tissue cyst induction and formation. Transmission electron microscopy observations demonstrated tissue cysts in decoquinate-treated cultures on days 3, 4, 5, and 6 after inoculation. Tissue cysts contained a tissue cyst wall that enclosed stages that resembled tachyzoites and stages that were structurally bradyzoites. Similar treatment of human foreskin fibroblast cells infected with tachyzoites of the TS-4 temperature-sensitive mutant of the RH strain did not result in production of tissue cysts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849-5519, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Toivio-Kinnucan
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Blagburn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003049:Coccidiostats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003667:Decoquinate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D003049:Coccidiostats; D003667:Decoquinate