STUDIES BY ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OF THE GIANT FORMS OF SOME AFRICAN AND SOUTH-AMERICAN TRYPANOSOMES FOUND OTHER THAN WITHIN THEIR MAMMALIAN HOST

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 29  (1) , 5-11
Abstract
Giant multinucleate cyst forms of 3 Trypanosoma brucei group parasites and 2 South American species were found in culture systems and within the insect host cells by EM. The African stocks were found within the tsetse mid-gut cells, an unidentified Brazilian trypanosome within the gut cells and Trypanosoma rangeli within the muscle layers surrounding the salivary gland. The various forms found were similar in that they contained varying numbers of large vacuoles, usually lined by subpellicular tubules into which appeared to bud the various organelles seen in normal trypanosomes and which were produced in considerable numbers within the body of these giant forms. These large vacuoles were seen opening to the exterior and liberating what could be small new forms. Sometimes direct budding of new small forms was observed directly from the pellicle of the giant form. The possibility that these giant forms may arise from some type of fusing of individual trypanosomes, that they may perhaps give rise to new individuals and that such a process might provide a mechanism for genetic exchange is discussed.

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