THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF LEISHMANIA TROPICA IN SKIN LESIONS

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Abstract
The ultrastructure of the amastigote stage of L. tropica was studied. New observations on the fine structure of the basal body, prokinosome and flagellum are reported. The basal body is composed of a centriole-like structure and a transitional zone continuous with the proximal part of the flagellum. The centriole-like part consists of 9 peripheral triplet tubules and in indistinct dense central core. The transitional zone consists of 9 peripheral doublet tubules and 2 central cylinders. The centriole-like prokinosome is present parallel and close to the basal body. The flagellum arises from the transitional zone of the basal body and has the classical axoneme (9 + 2) structure. At the tip of the flagellum the central tubules are replaced by one of the peripheral doublet tubules. The ultrastructural findings, as compared with previous studies of Leishmania, are discussed.