Abstract
An exceptionally efficient mechanism for the vertical transmission of a parasitic gregarine is dependent on the insect host's immune response. Gametocysts of Ascogregarina chagasi on the genital accessory glands of adult female sand flies (Lutzomyia longipalpis) become encapsulated through hemocyte-mediated immune reactions. Oocysts of A. chagasi, ejected into the lumen of the glands owing to pressure exerted by this capsule, become glued to eggshells and are subsequently ingested by larvae. In L. longipalpis with an experimentally suppressed encapsulation reaction, fewer accessory glands contained oocysts of A. chagasi.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 770-772 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Experientia |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 1989 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Humoral encapsulation
- gregarine
- parasitic life cycle
- sand fly
- vertical transmission