Destruction of Toxoplasma gondii by HC1 solution

It was shown that the destruction of Toxoplasma gondii by pepsin-HCl solution was due to the acid only. Endozoites were destroyed faster by hydrochloric acid than cystozoites. Furthermore, endozoites were stained faster than cystozoites in an alkaline solution of methylene blue. For this reason, endozoites were assumed to have a higher permeability than cystozoites. The action of hydrochloric acid was used for demonstration of cystozoites in mouse peritoneum cavity. No cystozoites were found after inoculation of virulent parasites.