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Ultrastructure of an Unusual Erythrocytic Form of Plasmodium berghei *
Author(s) -
KILLBY VIRGINIA A. A.,
SILVERMAN PAUL H.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1971.tb03279.x
Subject(s) - nucleoplasm , plasmodium berghei , vacuole , cytoplasm , ultrastructure , endoplasmic reticulum , gametocyte , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , ribosome , nucleolus , vesicle , plasmodium (life cycle) , parasite hosting , malaria , anatomy , plasmodium falciparum , genetics , rna , membrane , immunology , gene , world wide web , computer science
SYNOPSIS. Unusual dense forms were discovered in ultrathin sections of Plasmodium berghei ‐infected rat erythrocytes. These parasites frequently occurred with one or more typical trophozoites in a single blood cell. They appeared darker than both the neighboring trophozoites and the host erythrocyte. Ribosomes were visible in clusters in their compact cytoplasm. The endoplasmic reticulum, when present, had dilated cisternae often containing a material of low density. Large food vacuoles werecommonly seen along with the small vesicles harboring pigment granules. The single large nucleus had dense nucleoplasm. Multilaminated membraned bodies and sausage‐shaped vacuoles were, seen in some of the parasites. The exact identity of this form of P. berghei is not known. Its possible significance is discussed with particular reference to the differentiation of gametocytes.