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- Endocytobiosis and ...
- Volume 14
- Hartmannella vermif...
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103-113
- abstract
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A Hartmannella vermiformis strain (BW100/5) isolated from domestic tap water was observed to harbour distinct parasite aggregates of 2-3 μm in diameter. Electron microscopy revealed two species of endocytobionts which differed in size and shape. Trophozoites with one of each types as well as those hosting simultaneously the two types of endocytobionts could be encountered in ultra thin sections. Both endocytic bacteria are considered to be Gram negative. Type P1 was represented by coccoid crescent shaped and sickle shaped organisms. This endocytobiont exhibited a chlamydia-like life cycle with mature and developmental stages but differed markedly in cell morphology. The second type P2 was represented by a filamentous pleomorphic bacterium, possibly coiled up within a lacuna of the host amoeba. Since neither the infected host nor their endocytic bacteria could be grown in vitro free from food bacteria, an identification of the endocytobionts remains subject to further attempts in the future.
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