[Interaction of Toxoplasma gondii endozoites with the omental cells of the white mouse in acute experimental infestation. An electron microscopic study].

The omentum of 8 white mice was examined 24--96 hours after the intraperitoneal infection. Endozoites are capable of intensive intrusion not only into phagocytizing cells (hystocytes, peritoneal macrophages) but also into the cells which are not phagocytes (mesothelium). Just after the intrusion metabolism of the host-cell intensifies and in it are formed special structures which facilitate metabolic processes between the cell and the parasite (microvilli on the membrane of the parasitophore vacuole). At the final stage of the interaction with the cell endozoites cause the lysis of the membrane of the parasitophore vacuole that facilitates their transition into new cells. The ability to intrude into the cells, which are not phagocytes, and to cause the lysis of parasitophores vacuole is a factor of pathogenicity of virulent strains of toxoplasms which determines the generalized character of the infection caused by them.