ISSN:
1432-1955
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary A polysaccharide surface coat was demonstrated in the various developmental stages of Leishmania donovani at the fine structural level by several cytochemical methods. During the course of in vitro cultivation, amastigote forms which had lost the outer membrane gave positive surface coat staining reactions following Alcian blue-lanthanum nitrate treatment. Coat matrix deposition appeared to increase during cultivation of the transforming amastigotes, reaching a maximum thickness at ∼7 hr characteristic of that observed with the promastigote stages. Differences were observed in the appearance of the surface coat materials in amastigotes treated with Alcian blue and lanthanum nitrate at 0°C and 24°C. Heavy deposits of coat-like material were observed in the flagellar tip region of promastigotes. Results of growth studies indicated that total rosette formation increased during the first 5 days of the promastigote growth phase. No differences were observed, however, in the appearance of the surface coat in promastigotes obtained from culture after various periods. Surface coat materials also were observed in promastigotes treated with purified ruthenium red and violet fractions. It was suggested that the surface coat might have a role in the adhesion of the organisms to various substrates and other cells in culture.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00328879
