ELECTRON MICROSCOPICAL STUDIES ON ONCHOCERCIASIS .3. ONCHOCERCA-NODULE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (1) , 103-112
Abstract
Six onchocerca-nodules from 5 Liberian patients were examined by EM. Most cells in the center of the nodules were lymphocytes and macrophages. The lymphocytes were in various stages of differentiation. Most macrophages shows degenerative changes with a decrease of lysosomes and an increase of fatty vacuoles. Near the worms, epithelioid cells and giant cells were found. Other cells in the nodule included polymorphonuclear neutrophils, eosinophils, plasma cells and mast cells. Adult Onchocerca volvulus show the basic nematode body plan. The cuticle is subdivided into cortex and 2 layers with differently arranged fibrillar structures. The characteristics of the hypodermal cells are best seen in the lateral chords. In the interchordal regions the hypodermis is flattened by a muscle layer. The intestine typically contains pigment granules, the cells of the epithelium have folds of their cell membrances forming a basal labyrinth. The uterus consists of 2 tubes in which the development of the microfilariae from early embryonic forms to mature stages was examined.