African typanosomes

The similarity of the metabolism of African typanosomes to that of some tumour cells has prompted the correlation between... 

Comparison of the lipids and lipid and membrane metabolism of the malaria parasite and the African typanosome with that of their environments emphasizes the unique ways in which parasites are able to access the nutrients available, and modify them to their advantage. 

Once host lipid or lipid constituents are acquired, both organisms respond in a similar fashion—modification of the gross lipid composition and, in some cases, the fatty acyl chain composition of complex lipids. In most cases it is unknown why these changes are needed. The malaria parasite may be attempting to alter the permeability of the parasitized cell to allow more facile entry of nutrients. A significant part of the African typanosomes lipid metabolism is directed toward synthesis of not only membrane lipid, but supply of the glycolipid anchor of its unique surface coat. 

Indeed, a bDNA assay for diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis was developed and compared with buffy coat microscopy for detection of T brucei in human blood samples (Harris etal., 1996). Two repetitive DNA sequences found only in the T. brucei complex, a 177-bp satellite repeat and the ribosomal mobile element, were selected as targets in the bDNA assay. The assay used the standard bDNA components capture probes, target probes, amplifier molecules, and alkaline phosphatase-labeled probes. Various blood fractions and sample preparation methods were examined. Ultimately, buffy coat samples resulted in the highest sensitivity. Although typanosomes do not infect leukocytes, they cosediment with them. 

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