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Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit infectivity of Apicomplexan parasites

Cryptosporidium parvum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Plasmodium gallinaceum are parasitic pathogens of the phylum Apicomplexa. These parasites commonly infect a variety of vertebrate species and can produce life‐threatening diseases, especially in the immunocompromised. Previously, we have shown that certain, colostrum‐derived, long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (L‐PUFA) inhibit C. parvum sporozoite‐host‐cell invasion. In the studies reported here, we show linolenate or oleate but not elaidic acid, the trans isomer of oleate, inhibits both C. parvum sporozoite and T. gondii tachyzoite infectivity in vitro. Similarly, linolenate also blocked in vivo infectivity of T. gondii tachyzoites and P. gallinaceum sporozoites. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest linolenate or oleate but not elaidic acid, block gliding motility of T. gondii tachyzoites and C. parvum sporozoites. While these data suggest that certain L‐PUFAs represent possible therapeutic nutriceuticals, they clearly serve as useful reagents to probe what may be a common mechanism of host‐cell invasion by Apicomplexan parasites.