[Electron microscopic representation of the pili structure of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (author's transl)]

The technique of negative staining and ultra-thin section has been used for investigations of 30 Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in order to represent the structure of pili (fimbriae) electron microscopically. The staining of the gonococci was effected by phosphotungstic acid (0,5%). The pili ascertained were 30 to 60 A thick. In course of in vitro passages up to 10. subculture morphological changes of the pili have been observed. The application of trisbuffer or solution of Hylase (hyaluronidase) showed not any improved results in comparison with buffered NaCl-solution as suspension medium. The investigation of ultra-thin sections showed that the structure of the pili could be exhibited not clearly. Therefore, these technique seems to be not suitable for qualitative representative of the pili.