FORMATION OF GRANULAR STRUCTURES BY LEPTOSPIRAE AS REVEALED BY THE ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

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Abstract
Two types of granules in 4 strains of Leptospira are descr. Small granules with diam. no greater than that of the cell itself may represent either nuclear or cytoplasmic material locally ac-cumulated. The large granules may be situated in any part of the leptospiral cell but are found most frequently in the terminal position. When "free", the large granules are circular and well delineated by a cell membrane, with the central part consisting of leptospiral fragments embedded in a homogeneous substance. These granules are not products of degeneration or disintegration of leptospirae, and their constant and rhythmic appearance points to their role in the life cycle of the lepto[long dash]spirae. It is suggested that these granules represent either a resting stage or are reproductive bodies of leptospirae.