Phagocytic function of monocytes in murine model of Echinococcus granulosus of human origin

Phagocytic function of monocytes was studied in E. granulosus infected Swiss albino mice, with haemolysin coated sheep erythrocytes, Staphylococcus aureus, latex particles and- Echinococcus antigen coated latex particles. No significant difference in percentage phagocytic activity was observed in mice in the early stages of infection when compared to non-infected controls (P greater than 0.05). However, in the later stages of infection, increase in the phagocytic activity was noticed. The activity was more prominent against latex particles coated with Echinococcus antigen (P less than 0.001). Although the significance of these responses is not clear, this study showed an intact inflammatory response with certain degree of specificity.