Blood platelets actively participate in defense mechanisms of the organism. eg. in antiparasitic immunology. The study involved 17 patients infected with Echinococcus granulosus. Blood for analysis was collected twice, before treatment (E1) and after it (E2). Control group consisted of 30 healthy people. The concentrations of β-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 were assayed using a set of ASSERACHROM (Boehringer Mannheim) according to the immunoenzymatic method with labelled antibodies. The level of platelet factor 4 (before and after the antiparasitic treatment) indicates platelet activation by parasite.
Blood platelet are of crucial importance in hemostasis. Little attention has been paid to their bacteriocidal activity and their potential role in parasitic infections. Activation of blood platelets may result from direct contact with a parasite or IgE, IgG, complement factors, lymphokines, CRP. Blood platelets reveale cytotoxic activity through release variuos inflamatory mediators, phagocitic activity and cooperation with other cells of immunologic system. The precise mechanism of all platelet cytotoxic effects remains ucleare.