LYSIS OF ERYTHROCYTES BY TRICHOMONAS-GALLINAE

The hemolytic activity of live live isolates of Trichomonas gallinae w as investigated. The isolates were subsequently rested against the ery throcytes of seven adult animal species. Each of the five isolates tes ted lysed all human blood groups, as well as rabbit, rat, chicken, hor se, bovine, and sheep erythrocytes. No hemolysin released by the paras ite could be detected. Our preliminary results suggest that the hemoly tic activity is not due to the hemolysin release by T. gallinae or to a product of its metabolism. Pretreatment of live trichomonads with co ncanavalin A reduced levels of hemolysis by 40%.