Bacterial Morphology as shown by the Electron Microscope

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Abstract
Electron micrographs of the Nichols-Hough, Kroo and Reiter cultured strains of T. pallidum, of treponemes of the virulent Nichols-Hough strain from a rabbit syphiloma, and of cultured strains of T. macrodentium and T. microdentium are presented and the morphology of the treponemal cells described. A delicate cell-wall or periplast encloses the inner protoplasm of treponemata; this periplast may connect adjoining cells until transverse cell division is completed; thereafter it may extend beyond the cell protoplasm as a terminal filament. No evidence of a differentiated axial filament within the protoplasm is found. Flagella, often in groups of 4, are found along the sides or near the ends of the cells of T. pallidum and T. macrodentium. Dense granules, 40-90 m[mu] in diam., often occur within the spirochetal protoplasm. Irregularly spheroidal, dense bodies, 150-500 m[mu] in diam., are often found attached to the spirochetal cell, frequently near the end; such a dense body may be in close apposition to the outside of the spirochetal cell wall or may be connected to it by a short stalk. The evidence concerning these bodies seems to indicate that they are asexual reproductive bodies.