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Ultrastructural variation of cultured Ehrlichia chaffeensis
V L Popov1, S M Chen, H M Feng
1Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0609, USA.
Journal of Medical Microbiology
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Ehrlichia chaffeensis ultrastructure reveals normal cell development alongside pathological changes like budding and abnormal fission within host cells. These findings suggest Ehrlichia can undergo damage or L-transformation-like processes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Pathogen Ultrastructure
Background:
- Ehrlichia chaffeensis is an intracellular bacterium causing human ehrlichiosis.
- Understanding its ultrastructure is key to deciphering its life cycle and host interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructure of Ehrlichia chaffeensis in various cell lines.
- To identify normal and aberrant morphological forms within host cells.
Main Methods:
- Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine Ehrlichia chaffeensis.
- Infected monolayers of mouse embryo, Vero, BGM, L929, and DH82 cells were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Two Ehrlichia cell types were observed: dense-cored (normal) and large reticulate cells with unique projections and budding.
- Abnormalities in protoplast fission led to giant or elongated forms.
- Morulae contained vesicles, tubules, and fibrillar antigen; some morulae showed degenerating Ehrlichia.
Conclusions:
- Ehrlichia chaffeensis exhibits both normal development and pathological events within host cells.
- These pathological events include cell damage and potential L-transformation-like processes.