[Electron microscopic findings on reversion of Listeria L-forms]

Reversion in L-forms of Listeria monocytogenes was studied with the use of electron microscopy. In the culture undergoing the process of reversion cells differing in size, form and the electron density of the cytoplasm were present. The process of reversion was characterized by the increase of cytoplasmic density, the decrease of nucleoid, the appearance of fibrillary material of medium electron density on the membrane surface and the longitudinal elongation of the cell. The cell wall of the revertants was thinner and its outer layer with greater electron density was less pronounced than in the initial culture.