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The three-dimensional morphology of Candida albicans as seen by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy

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Abstract

The fine structure of Candida albicans has been repeatedly described by transmission electron microscopy, whereas studies by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) are rare and devoted solely to the study of its external morphology. This report describes the results of an HRSEM study on C. albicans carried out by an osmium maceration protocol modified to better retain the structural characteristics of this yeast. Thus, we visualized various intracellular structures including invaginations of cell membrane (plasmalemmasomes), nuclear envelope, mitochondria, the vacuolar system, and two additional structures that might represent a form of endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. The present investigation, which for the first time shows the organelles of C. albicans at the 3D level, may lead to a better understanding of its cell physiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cytomorphology, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, 09042, Italy

    Michela Isola, Raffaella Isola, Maria Serenella Lantini & Alessandro Riva

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  1. Michela Isola
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  2. Raffaella Isola
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  3. Maria Serenella Lantini
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  4. Alessandro Riva
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Correspondence to Raffaella Isola.

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Isola, M., Isola, R., Lantini, M.S. et al. The three-dimensional morphology of Candida albicans as seen by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. J Microbiol. 47, 260–264 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-008-0212-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-008-0212-1

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