Trypanosoma brucei infection stimulates receptor-mediated phagocytosis by murine peritoneal macrophages.

Trypanosoma brucei infection results in hypertrophy of the reticuloendothelial system. Peritoneal macrophages from infected mice were larger, spread out more on glass, and had increased receptor-mediated phagocytic activity both for C3b-and immunoglobulin G-coated erythrocytes. These observations suggest that macrophages were activated as a result of this infection.