The cathepsin-D expression in the cyto-invasive stages of coccidia in intestinal mucosa of chickens, and the relevance of this proteinase for intracellular penetration and spreading of coccidia in host tissues.
The Cathepsin-D proteinase was demonstrated immunohistochemically in cases of intestinal coccidiosis in chickens; its expression concerned almost the cyto-invasive stages of reproductive cycle of several strains of coccidia (merozoites of the II-nd generation and also microgametes). The authors consider Cathepsin-D as a potentional "penetration/spreading factor", being significant for intracellular invasion and spreading of coccidia into host cells. In diagnostic practice, an immunohistochemical demonstration of Cathepsin-D is a relatively simple and sensitive method, which brings information on the extent of parasitic lesions, and on participation of particular evolutive forms of coccidial life cycle; it may also be useful in proving isolated coccidia in the intestinal epithelium, poorly recognized in routine HE preparation. Some Cathepsin-D protease reactivity in intestinal Cryptosporidiosis is also briefly mentioned. The examined cases of cerebral toxoplasmosis and primary acanthamoebic meningoencephalitis (PAME) showed in above mentioned methods negative results.
Rostislav
K
K
Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Palacký University, 775 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic. kodousek@tunw.upol.cz
Petr
B
B
Frantisek
C
C
Oldrich
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000378:metabolism*; D002645:Chickens; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000469:parasitology*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000469:parasitology*
D002402:Cathepsin D