SUMMARY
The ionophore A23187 was used to facilitate release and continued development of Anaplasma marginale in short-term erythrocyte cultures. Addition of 10 μM A23187 to the cultures resulted in significant decrease in percentage of parasitized erythrocytes (ppe) by 24 hours after treatment; further development and increase in PPE was not observed. In contrast, the ppe of untreated cultures, those treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso) only and with 1 μM A23187 increased slightly during that time. Total erythrocyte count decreased in treated cultures in excess of that expected after samples of the medium were taken for analysis. The greatest cell loss and increased hemoglobin concentration in culture medium was observed in cultures treated with 10 μM A23187 and with an equivalent volume of dmso. The dmso appeared to cause hemolysis of some erythrocytes, but not of infected cells selectively. Release of A marginale inclusion bodies was seen by electron microscopy in samples from the 10 μM A23187-exposed cultures. At 30 minutes after treatment, free initial bodies were frequently seen. Inclusion body membranes and individual A marginale were associated with membranes of adjacent erythrocytes. Individual rickettsiae were seen in cell depressions and appeared to be entering erythrocytes. However, neither further invasion nor development of the parasite in erythrocytes was observed. Ionophore A23187 appeared to promote release of A marginale from erythrocytes, but did not enhance infection of erythrocytes or development of organisms in vitro.
