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The interaction betweenNeisseria gonorrhoeae and the human cornea in organ culture

An electron microscopic study

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Abstract

Explants of human corneas in organ culture were used to study the interaction betweenNeisseria gonorrhoeae and human corneal epithelium at an ultrastructural level. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that infection of the corneal explants withN. gonorrhoeae resulted in a rapid adherence of the bacteria to the cell surface. This attachment was probably mediated by pili since only piliated strains were able to adhere to the cells. Upon attachment the bacteria appeared to become engulfed by the epithelial cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed gonococci apparently lying within vacuoles inside the cells within 1 h after inoculation of the bacteria. At prolonged infection (8–24 h), the thickness of the epithelium was found to be considerably reduced. This thinning of the cornea was probably caused by a continuous desquamation of infected cells. Taken together, the present data demonstrate thatNeisseria gonorrhoeae is able to adhere and penetrate into intact corneal epithelium and furthermore indicate that human cornea explants in organ culture are a useful model in studies of bacterial-epithelial cell interaction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105, AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    K. F. Tjia, J. P. M. van Putten & H. C. Zanen

  2. The Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    K. F. Tjia & E. Pels

Authors
  1. K. F. Tjia
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  2. J. P. M. van Putten
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  3. E. Pels
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  4. H. C. Zanen
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Tjia, K.F., van Putten, J.P.M., Pels, E. et al. The interaction betweenNeisseria gonorrhoeae and the human cornea in organ culture. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 226, 341–345 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02172964

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02172964

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