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May 1, 1960The Journal of Protozoology

A Comparative Study of Kinetoplast Ultrastructure in the Trypanosomatidae*

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Key result

Electron microscopy revealed the kinetoplast as a mitochondrion with anastomosing fibers that differ in density between vertebrate and insect parasites.

Population

Leishmania tropica, Trypanosoma cruzi, T. lewisi, Herpetomonas culicis, H. muscarum, and Crithidia fasciculata

Design

Preclinical

Authors

TCT. B. ClarkUniversity of Arkansas at FayettevilleFWF. G. WallaceNational Institutes of Health

Discussion

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Implication

Does not alter clinical management of trypanosomiasis; leaves open functional links between kinetoplast density and host adaptation.

Key Points

  • To compare the fine structure of the kinetoplast and associated organelles across multiple species within the Trypanosomatidae family.
  • Examined thin sections of six flagellate species (Leishmania tropica, Trypanosoma cruzi, T. lewisi, Herpetomonas culicis, H. muscarum, and Crithidia fasciculata) using transmission electron microscopy.
  • Analyzed structural details of the kinetoplast, blepharoplast, basal granule, and contractile vacuole across vertebrate-parasitic and insect-parasitic forms.
  • In vertebrate-parasitic species (L. tropica, T. cruzi, and T. lewisi), kinetoplast fibers show a sharply delimited anterior zone with thick, electron-dense material.
  • In insect parasites (H. culicis, H. muscarum, and C. fasciculata), kinetoplast fibers form a looser network of relatively uniform density throughout.
  • The blepharoplast was characterized as a nine-fibered cylinder at the axoneme base encased by an electron-dense basal granule, while the contractile vacuole appeared as a clear space adjacent to Golgi material.

Structured PICO

P
Population
Leishmania tropica, Trypanosoma cruzi, T. lewisi, Herpetomonas culicis, H. muscarum, and Crithidia fasciculata
E
Exposure
Electron microscopy of thin sections
O
Outcome
Ultrastructure of the kinetoplast and associated structures

The study details the ultrastructural differences in the kinetoplast between vertebrate and insect parasites of the Trypanosomatidae family.

Cite This Study

Clark et al. (1960) studied Trypanosomatidae parasites. Electron microscopy was evaluated on Kinetoplast ultrastructure. Electron microscopy revealed the kinetoplast as a mitochondrion with anastomosing fibers that differ in density between vertebrate and insect parasites.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a937ce3ba040e773e696422https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.1960.tb00717.x
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Also Consider

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  1. 1Staining of Tissue Sections for Electron Microscopy with Heavy Metals1958 · 4,130 citations