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ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF LEPTOSPIRA
Author(s) -
BirchAndersen A.,
Hougen K. Hovind,
BorgPetersen C.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
acta pathologica microbiologica scandinavica section b microbiology and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0365-5563
DOI - 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1973.tb02258.x
Subject(s) - cytoplasm , flagellum , leptospira , negative stain , cell envelope , electron microscope , biophysics , staining , chemistry , membrane , bacterial outer membrane , strain (injury) , anatomy , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , optics , physics , serotype , biochemistry , genetics , escherichia coli , gene
Leptospira strain Pomona was studied by negative staining and ultrathin sectioning techniques. The effect of various fixatives on the preservation of cellular details was evaluated. The helical cytoplasmic cell bodies were surrounded by a triple‐layered cytoplasmic membrane with an intermediate layer in close apposition to the outer aspect of the membrane. The outer envelope of the cell consisted of an ordinary triple‐layered membrane with an additional layer exterior to it. This exterior layer may roll off or break off from damaged leptospira cells, and may then be found as finely striated tubules in negatively stained preparations. Usually cells had two axial filaments, one inserted subterminally at either end of the cell. The filaments were entwined around the cytoplasmic body and were situated between the cell body and the outer envelope. An overlap of the axial filaments on the body of the cell was not observed. Dividing cells had four axial filaments, one inserted at either end of the two daughter cells. The dimensions and the substructure of liberated axial filaments were studied and compared with those on flagella of treponemes and bacteria.