Phagosome-lysosome fusions in macrophages infected by Mycobacterium avium: role of mycosides-C and other cells surface components.

The phagosome-lysosome fusions (PLE) were assessed in case of bone-marrow macrophages infected by the opportunistic species Mycobacterium avium, employing the acid-phosphatase (AcPase) electron-cytochemistry. The role of surface components was evaluated by coating the bacteria prior to phagocytosis by specific M. avium antiserum or the anti-mycosides-C serum raised in rabbit. PLF was evaluated under the electron microscope during (2, 4 hours), or after (24 hours) phagocytosis. The preliminary results suggest that although M. avium surface components intervene in PLF inhibition, the role of mycosides-C among these surface components (effectively intervening in PLF inhibition) is questionable.