THE EFFECT OF ENDO-ENTERIC DEVELOPMENT OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF EPITHELIAL CELLS OF THE SMALL INTESTINE OF INFECTED CATS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
T. gondii undergoing endo-enteric development in the small intestine of the cat affects the ultrastructure of the epithelial cells. The epithelial cells from infected cats have swollen rough endoplasmic reticulum, and the mitochondria may be swollen with degenerate cristae. A statistically significant shortening of the microvilli of the epithelial cells was demonstrated. The effect on the microvilli length apparently was related to the parasite distribution within the small intestine. These changes occur in cells with and without parasites present at the level of the sections studied. The abnormalities are quickly rectified after the disappearance of the endo-enteric forms of Toxoplasma.

This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit: