THE IN-VITRO EFFECTS OF CRYSTAL VIOLET ON THE PATHOGENIC HEMOFLAGELLATE CRYPTOBIA-SALMOSITICA KATZ, 1951 (SARCOMASTIGOPHORA, KINETOPLASTIDA)

Crystal violet does not inhibit in vitro multiplication of a nonpathog enic strain of Cryptobia salmositica at low concentrations (0.01 mu M and 0.001 mu M) but multiplication is inhibited at higher concentratio ns (greater than or equal to 0.05 mu M). In contrast, the pathogenic s train of C. salmositica does not multiply in vitro when incubated with crystal violet (0.001 mu M, 0.01 mu M and 0.05 mu M). The infectivity oi the pathogenic strain is significantly reduced after in vitro expo sure to crystal violet. Crystal violet lyses C. salmositica (100.0 mu M) and causes lesions on mitochondrial and nuclear membranes oi the pa rasite. Pathogenic strains oi Cryptobia salmositica and C. bullocki ar e more susceptible to lysis after in vitro exposure io crystal violet than are nonpathogenic strains oi Cryptobia salmositico and C. catosto mi.