Multiplication of Toxoplasma gondii in maturing erythroid cells

Multiplication of Toxoplasma gondii was examined in vitro in murine erythroid cells at different stages of development. Toxoplasma gondii multiplied in nucleated erythroblasts and enucleated reticulocytes from the foetal liver, and in immature reticulocytes and yolk-sac derived erythrocytes from the foetal circulation. However, the rate of multiplication was lowered as erythroblasts matured, and multiplication was not detected in foetal erythrocytes. A decrease in the multiplication rate with maturation was also observed with yolk-sac erythrocytes.