Summary
Ingestion of BD-VI and CV-1 culture cells by trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica as observed in the transmission electron microscope is described. (1) Phagocytosis of cells with intact cell membranes occurs. (2) For this to occur adequate attachment between the amoebic plasmalemma and the host cell is essential. (3) Endoplasmic streaming plays a role in the formation of the phagocytotic channel. Micropseudopodia, structures not previously noted, are found at the tip of the pseudopodium and act in aiding the attachment.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bird, R.G.: A constant morphological feature in the trophozoite stage of Entamoeba histolytica. Trans. roy. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg. 50, 302 (1956)
Bird, R.G.: Studies of amoebiasis including the morphology and behaviour of certain parasitic amoebae of man and animals. Ph.D. thesis. University of London (1961)
Chevez, A., Iturbe-Alessio, I., Segura, M., Corona, D.: Fagocitosis de eritrocitos humanos per Entamoeba histolytica. Arch. Inv. Méd. (Méx.) 3, Supl. 2., 275–286 (1972)
Diamond, L.S.: Improved method for the monoxenic cultivation of Entamoeba histolytica, Schaudinn, 1903 and E. histolytica-like amebae with trypanosomatids. J. Parasit. 54, 715–719 (1968)
Griffin, J.L., Juniper, K.: Ultrastructure of Entamoeba histolytica for human amoebic dysentery. Arch. Path. 91, 270–280 (1971)
Knight, R., Bird, R.G., McCaul, T.F.: Fine structural changes at E. histolytica rabbit kidney cell (RK13) interface. Ann. trop. Med. Parasit. 69, 197–202 (1975)
McCaul, T.F.: A fine structural and cytochemical investigation of Entamoeba histolytica strains using cell line monolayers. Ph.D. thesis. University of London (1976)
Michel, R., Schupp, E.: Fibrilläre und tubuläre Feinstrukturen im Cytoplasma von Entamoeba histolytica. Z. Parasitenk. 47, 11–21 (1975)
Proctor, E.M.: Comparative studies of the ultrastructure of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba coli. Ph.D. thesis. University of Natal (1974)
Reynolds, E.S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963)
Trevino-Garcia Manzo, N., Feria-Velasco, A., De Chavez, I.R.: Eritrofagocitosis por Entamoeba histolytica. Arch. Inv. Méd. (Méx.) 3, Supl. 2, 295–302 (1972)
Venable, J.H., Coggeshall, R.: A simplified lead stain for use in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 25, 407–408 (1965)
Westphal, A.: Die Pathogenese der Amöbenruhr bei Mensch und Tier. I. Das Wesen der pathogenetischen Wirksamkeit der Ruhramöbe. II. Die Pathogenese der Amöbenruhr beim Menschen. Arch. Schiffs- u. Tropenhyg. 42, 348–349, 441–459 (1938). (Summary in English in Trop. Dis. Bull. 36, 288–289, 1939)
Westphal, A., Michel, R.: Phagozytose und Pinozytose der Entamoeba histolytica. Z. Tropenmed. Parasit. 22, 82–91 (1971)
Westphal, A., Michael, R., Mühlpfordt, H.: Elektronenmikroskopische Befunde bei der Phagozytose von Crithidia sp. durch Entamoeba histolytica. Z. Tropenmed. Parasit. 23, 117–127 (1972)
Zaman, V.: An electron-microscopic observation of starch ingestion by Entamoeba invadens. Trans. roy. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg. 56, 535–537 (1962)
Zaman, V.: Ingestion of erythrocytes by Entamoeba. Acta trop. 27, 178–183 (1970)
Zaman, V.: Structure and movement of Entamoeba. Ann. trop. Med. Parasit. 66, 329–333 (1972)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McCaul, T.F. Transmission electron microscopy observations of phagocytosis in trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica in contact with tissue culture cells. Z. F. Parasitenkunde 52, 203–211 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380539
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380539