Replication of Toxoplasma gondii in chicken erythrocytes and thrombocytes compared to macrophages

Toxoplasma (T.) gondii is able to infect various cell types in different hosts. The replication of this parasite within different peripheral mononuclear blood cell populations in chicken has not yet been fully understood. Aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of chicken erythrocytes and thrombocytes as potential host cells for T. gondii. Cultures of primary avian erythrocytes and thrombocytes were inoculated with tachyzoites of T. gondii type II strain ME49. Parasite replication was detected by a quantitative real-time PCR at different times postinoculation until 24 or 48 h, respectively, displaying long-term investigations for the chosen cultures. The parasite replication curve showed a continuous decrease of parasite stages in erythrocytes and thrombocytes. Observations by light microscopy showed massive destruction for both cell populations. Few macrophages in between the infected thrombocytes were viable during the investigation period and showed internalised tachyzoites by confocal laser scanning microscopy. These findings show that T. gondii is not capable of replication in chicken erythrocytes and thrombocytes; therefore, both cannot be considered as potential host cells. In further consequence, monocyte-derived macrophages seem to be the key to the dissemination mechanisms for T. gondii in chicken.