Antibody-dependent killing of bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma cruzi by human peripheral blood leukocytes.

Bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma cruzi were found to be destroyed by human lymphoid cells, neutrophils, or eosinophils in the presence of specific antibodies. Nonspecific immunoglobulins present in normal serum did not mediate the cytotoxic reaction. Cells or antibody had no significant lytic effect on the parasite when tested separately and purified, non-activated human adherent cells were inactive antibody was present or not.