LESION OF LEUKOCYTES, ERYTHROCYTES, AND MESOTHELIAL CELLS BY THE CELOMIC FLUID OF EISENIA-FOETIDA EARTHWORMS

Coelomic fluid of Eisenia foetida earthworms is known to exert strong proteolytic, hemolytic, bacteriostatic, and cytolytic properties. Ultr astructural observations revealed that coelomic fluid causes multiple ruptures and defects in the erythrocyte membrane as well as in the mem brane of murine peritoneal leukocytes. Incubation of peritoneal cells in coelomic fluid resulted in a disorganization of the macrophage surf ace microvilli, changes in the organization of cytoplasmic organelles and disruption and degranulation of mast cells. Severe mesothelial dam age was observed after intraperitoneal administration of the coelomic fluid.