Synchronization of the division of Theileria macroschizonts and their mammalian host cells

Abstract

Theileria macroschizonts transform the parasitized lymphoid cells of their mammalian host’s in vivo and ill litro so that the cells become lymphoblastoid, there is a massive proliferation of infected cells and new antigens arc expressed on the cell surface (Brown et at., 1973; De: Martini and Moulton, 1973; Pearson et al., 1979). During the division of the host cells in litro the macroschizonts normally abo divide so that two infected daughter cells are produced (Hulligcr et al., 1964). The end product of macroschizont division in Vivo, and ccasionally ill 1'ltro, is the microschizont and the resultant merozoites are released with the destruction of the host cell.