Reduction of the infectivity of Toxoplasma gondii and Eimeria stiedai sporozoites by treatment with bovine lactoferricin

Sporozoites of Toxoplasma gondii preincubated with lactoferricin showed dec reased activity in penetration of mouse embryonal cells. Mice inoculated wi th 10(5) sporozoites preincubated with lactoferricin showed a higher surviv al rate than those inoculated with the same number of untreated sporozoites . Likewise, sporozoites of Eimeria stiedai preincubated with lactoferricin also showed decreased activity in penetration of rabbit hepatobiliary cells . Rabbits inoculated with 105 sporozoites preincubated with lactoferricin s hed fewer oocysts than those inoculated with the same number of untreated s porozoites. These results indicate that lactoferricin is effective to reduc e the infectivity of sporozoites of Toxoplasma gondii and Eimeria stiedai.