Toxoplasma Cysts in the Human Heart, an Electron Microscopic Study

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Abstract
Electron microscopic study of the cyst form of Toxoplasma gondii in the human heart, obtained from an elderly patient at postmortem, revealed relatively well-preserved organisms. The morphological details of the organisms are in essential agreement with observers who studied toxoplasma in other mammals. The hollow nature of peripheral fibrils is demonstrated in our study. The absence of the villus-like structure of the outer portion of the cyst wall suggests that the nature of the cyst wall varies with the host organs. It is suggested that an interaction between host cells and parasites produces the cyst wall. There is no evidence that the heart muscle cell, with the extruded nucleus, constitutes the cyst wall or that the cell membrane of the heart muscle participates in cyst-wall formation. "Binary fission" as one method of reproduction of the cystic form of Toxoplasma gondii is added as a new finding, in addition to the previously described methods of reproduction.

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