Related Experiment Videos
Morphological changes of Trypanosoma vivax in mice
Veterinary Parasitology
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Morphological changes in Trypanosoma vivax occurred in mice during infection. Elongate trypomastigotes and epimastigote forms were observed, suggesting potential extra-vascular parasite presence.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Trypanosoma vivax is a significant veterinary pathogen causing significant economic losses.
- Understanding parasite morphology and life cycle is crucial for developing effective control strategies.
- Previous studies have focused on T. vivax in tsetse flies and cattle, with less detail on its blood-stage morphology in mammalian hosts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological changes of Trypanosoma vivax in the blood of infected mice.
- To identify potential developmental stages and locations of the parasite within the host during infection.
- To provide detailed morphological descriptions using light and electron microscopy.
Main Methods:
- Infection of mice with Trypanosoma vivax strain Y486.
- Collection of blood samples at specific time points post-infection (Days 12-13).
- Preparation and examination of blood smears using light microscopy.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for ultrastructural analysis.
- Examination of fine capillaries and spleen tissues.
Main Results:
- Observed morphological changes in blood forms of T. vivax around Days 12-13 post-infection, following peak parasitaemia.
- Identified elongate trypomastigotes (25-40 µm) with anterior kinetoplast movement and some with blunt posterior ends.
- Documented a complete transformation to epimastigote forms (40-42 µm) in a subset of parasites.
- Detected small sphaeromastigotes, particularly in organ capillaries.
- Evidence from smears and TEM suggested the presence of extra-vascular forms in the spleen.
Conclusions:
- Trypanosoma vivax undergoes significant morphological transformations in the blood of infected mice.
- The presence of epimastigote and sphaeromastigote forms, along with extra-vascular parasites, indicates a complex developmental cycle within the mammalian host.
- These findings contribute to a better understanding of T. vivax pathogenesis and host-parasite interactions.