Theileria Parva: Effects of Irradiation on a Culture of Parasitized Bovine Lymphoid Cells

Abstract

Aliquots of a culture of Theileria parva-infected bovine lymphoid cells were irradiated at 0, 300, 600, 900, and 1200 rads. The short-term effects of irradiation were evaluated on examination of Giemsa-stained smears and on autoradiography of cells labelled with [3H] thymidine. Irradiation inhibited cell division but parasite division did not appear to be inhibited and macro schizont nuclear particles increased in number, frequently to several hundred per schizont. There was no evidence of an increased percentage switch from macro to micro schizont. Apparently viable cells were still present in all cultures 4 days after irradiation.