ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDIES ON BLASTOCRITHIDIA-TRIATOMAE CERISOLA ET AL 1971 (TRYPANOSOMATIDAE)

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (3) , 289-300
Abstract
In the bug Triatoma infestans, developmental stages of B. triatomae, which can be mistaken for Trypanosoma cruzi during [human] xenodiagnosis, were studied by EM. Three different forms appeared during the progressive divisions: micro-, pro- and epimastigotes. The morphological study revealed significant criteria for a distinction from T. cruzi stages. Cyst-like bodies were observed often attached to the flagella of the different stages. As revealed by the presence of labyrinthine structures found in flagellated stages and in the cyst stages, the latter were suggested as being specific for cysts to be excreted with the feces and thus to establish new infections in other bugs. Apart from the cyst-like structures, a comparison with the organelles known from other Trypanosomatidae showed only slight variations. A tubular cytopharynx-like structure, which was lined by microtubules, and the way in which the flagellum is attached to the surface of the host cell was previously described in Blastocrithidia.