ATPase Activity of the Erythrocytic Membrane in Anaplasmosis And of Anaplasma marginale.

Summary The erythrocytic AT Pase activity of uninfected calves and calves infected with Anaplasma marginale was determined. Samples from infected animals showed increased ATPase activity during the initial appearance of marginal bodies in the erythro-cytes and at the peak of infection. In view of this increase the possibility of enzyme activity in the Anaplasma bodies per se was investigated. Marginal bodies were purified and subjected to sucrose density-gradient sedimentation procedures. It was demonstrated that fractions containing purified marginal bodies possessed significant ATPase activity. The possible relationship between this activity and the pathology of anaplasmosis was discussed.