Balantioides coli: morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of pig and non-human primate isolates
-
Alynne da Silva Barbosa
,
Helene Santos Barbosa
Abstract
Balantioides coli is a ciliated protozoon that inhabits the intestine of pigs, non-human primates and humans. Light microscopy studies have described over 50 species of the genus Balantioides but their validity is in doubt. Due to the limited information about this genus, this study is aimed to identify morphological characteristics of Balantioides coli isolated using fluorescence microscopy and both scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Trophozoites isolated from the feces of pig and macaque were washed and subjected to centrifugation. These cells were fixed with paraformaldehyde for immunofluorescence. Other aliquots of these trophozoites were fixed with glutaraldehyde, post fixed with osmium tetroxide and processed for SEM and TEM. Immunofluorescence studies revealed microtubules with a longitudinal distribution to the main axis of the parasite and in the constitution of cilia. SEM demonstrated a high concentration of cilia covering the oral apparatus and a poor presence of such structures in cytopyge. TEM revealed in the plasma membrane, several associated structures were observed to delineate the cellular cortex and mucocysts. The cytoskeleton of the oral region was observed in detail and had an organization pattern consisting of microtubules, which formed files and nematodesmal networks. Organelles such as hydrogenosomes like and peroxisomes were observed close to the cortex. Macronuclei were observed, but structures that were consistent with micronuclei were not identified. Ultrastructural morphological analysis of isolates confirms its similarity to Balantioides coli. In this study were identified structures that had not yet been described, such as hydrogenosomes like and cytoskeletal structures.
Author’s Contributions: Collection of the material and maintenance in culture: ASB, LVD, CMAU, OMPB, MRRA. Processing the material before description: ASB, LVD, HSB, SMOS. Morphological description: ASB, HSB. Draft of the manuscript written by: ASB, HSB. Revision of the manuscript: HSB, LVD, CMAU, OMPB, MRRA. ASB participated in all stages of production of this manuscript, because this is part of his PhD thesis. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Ethical standards: All applicable federal, state, and institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed in this study.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution made by the Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), through grant number E26/110 440/2012. The authors thank too, Dr. Saulo Cabral Bourguignon of the Federal Fluminense University Biology Institute for supporting material and the Rudolph Barth Electron Microscopy Platform of Oswaldo Cruz Institute to produce images.
References
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© 2018 W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, PAS
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