Alteration in density of eosinophils in the cerebrospinal fluid of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

The density of eosinophils in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of male ddY mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis was examined on days 14, 20 and 27 post-infection (p.i.) with discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation. Normal blood eosinophils had a density of between 1.070 and 1.080 g ml-1. No significant changes in density in blood eosinophils were noted during the course of the observations. CSF eosinophils began to become hypodense (defined as density less than 1.070 g ml-1) on day 20 p.i., and 88% of eosinophils were hypodense on day 27. Our results suggest therefore that eosinophils probably become hypodense in the CSF and brain tissues, but not in the blood.