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The fine structure of Garnia gonadati and its association with the host cell
J A Diniz1, E O Silva, R Lainson
1Unidade de Microscopia Eletr nica, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belem, Pará, Brazil.
Abstract:
Most of the studies on the fine structure of protozoa of the Apicomplexa group have been carried out with members of the ToxoPlasma, Eimeria, and Plasmodium genera. In the present study we analyzed the fine structure of Garnia gonadoti parasitizing the red blood cells of the Amazonian reptile Gonatodes humeralis (Reptilia; Lacertilia). Transmission electron microscopy of thin sections showed that G. gonadoti presented all structures characteristic of the group, including the apicoplast. However, four special features were observed: (1) absence of the hemozoin (malarial) pigment; (2) a group of microtubules associated with the mitochondrion; (3) a vacuole containing electron-dense material, which resembled the acidocalcisome described in trypanosomatids; and (4) a special array of the host-cell endoplasmic reticulum around the parasitophorous vacuole.