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Colonial morphology of treponemes observed by electron microscopy
Microbiology and Immunology
|January 1, 1984
Summary
This study explored the colonial morphology of three nonpathogenic treponeme strains using microscopy. Distinct colony differences were observed, aiding in treponeme strain identification and characterization.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Microscopy
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Nonpathogenic treponemes are important in oral microbiology.
- Understanding treponeme colonial morphology aids in their identification and classification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine and compare the colonial morphology of three cultivable, nonpathogenic treponeme strains.
- To differentiate treponeme strains using light and electron microscopy techniques.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of treponeme strains (Kazan, Reiter, and human oral strain G7201) on solid media.
- Observation of colony formation under varying agar concentrations.
- Analysis of colonial morphology using light, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Main Results:
- Treponema phagedenis strains Kazan and Reiter formed large, white colonies.
- Human oral treponeme strain G7201 exhibited diffused white zones.
- SEM revealed distinct differences in colony appearance, with strain G7201 colonies being small and irregular, Kazan colonies circular and convex, and Reiter colonies containing spherical forms.
Conclusions:
- Colonial morphology, as visualized by electron microscopy, provides key differentiating features for nonpathogenic treponeme strains.
- The observed morphological characteristics can aid in the identification and taxonomic classification of treponemes.