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Hepatozoon aegypti nov. sp.

3. Electron microscope studies on the gamogony and sporogony inside the vectorCulex pipiens molestus

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Abstract

Gamogony and sporogony ofH. aegypti were studied in the haemocoel of its vectorCulex pipiens molestus by electron microscopy. On day 2 p.i., the parasites, associated in pairs in the haemocoel, grew large and differentiated into micro- and macrogamonts within the same parasitophorous vacuole. The microgamont measured 18×10 μm and was covered by a single membrane, having micropores and some underlying osmiophilic material. On day 3 p.i. its nucleus was divided and four uni-flagellated microgametes developed. The pear-like microgamete measured 6 μm in length and mainly contained the nucleus; in a groove of the nucleus the mitochondrion and 6–8 microtubules were observed. The single flagellum measured 23 μm in length and had only single microtubules in an 8+2 or 9+1 arrangement. The macrogamont measured 25–35 μm, contained accumulations of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (rough, smooth) and several Golgi apparatus. It was covered by two membranes with micropores, but the inner membrane showed some interruptions at many places. The cytoplasm of the oocyst divided into about 52 (15–75) sporoblasts on day 10 p.i. Inside sporoblasts, cristalloidal bodies were associated. Sporocysts first were seen on day 13 p.i. They had a two-layered thickened wall. On day 16 p.i. about 26 sporozoites of 9×2 μm developed inside each sporocyst. The sporozoites ofH. aegypti had the characteristic fine structure of the merozoites and stages in the red blood cells studied in the snakeSpalerosophis diadema; in addition they had two large crystalloid bodies on both sides of the nucleus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt

    A. -R. Bashtar & F. A. Ghaffar

  2. Abteilung für Parasitologie, Universität Düsseldorf, Geb. 26.13, D-4000, Düsseldorf, Federal Republic of Germany

    H. Mehlhorn

Authors
  1. A. -R. Bashtar
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  2. F. A. Ghaffar
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  3. H. Mehlhorn
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Part of a PhD thesis by A.R.B., University of Cairo, Channel System

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Bashtar, A.R., Ghaffar, F.A. & Mehlhorn, H. Hepatozoon aegypti nov. sp.. Z. Parasitenkd. 70, 53–65 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00929574

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