Guest guest Posted May 5, 2005 Report Share Posted May 5, 2005 Did you mention bee venom being able to kill babesia organisms? Do you know how? Melittin [a major active constituant] is a cationic [positive-charged] peptide. It accumulates in cell membranes and damages them by uncertain means, causing cell lysis. Many natural physiological antimicrobials in humans and animals down to fruit flies (and probably farther) work this way. Human red cells, as well as almost all bacteria, have a significant negative surface charge, which is partly why they are especially vulnerable to cationic peptides. I'm wondering if red cells infected by babesia might have increased sensitivity to being lysed by melittin, because of some sort of stress or damage caused by the invading organism - do you think that mechanism would be consistent with what you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.