Effect of the monocyte locomotion inhibitory factor (MLIF) produced by Entamoeba histolytica upon the respiratory burst of human leukocytes.

In addition to inhibiting the locomotion of human MP, MLIF appears capable of inhibiting the respiratory burst (measured by chemiluminescence) of MP and of PMN as well. The effect on the latter cells may or may not be relevant in the host-E. histolytica interaction, as PMN have been found to be notoriously inefficient in dealing with amebas and, foremost, do not use oxidative mechanisms in dealing with the parasite. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect on MP may represent a true evasion mechanism inasmuch as activated MP are capable of destroying virulent amebas, and do so by both oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms.