Fine structure of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in human hepatocytes in vitro |
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Authors: | Dr Jacques F G M Meis P Jos M Rijntjes Jan Peter Verhave Thivi Ponnudurai Michael R Hollingdale Judith E Smith Robert E Sinden Paul H K Jap Joseph H E T H Meuwissen Sing Hiem Yap |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Medical Parasitology, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands;(2) Department of Gastroenterology, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands;(3) Department of Cytology and Histology, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands;(4) Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, Md, USA;(5) Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College, London, Great Britain;(6) Department of Medical Parasitology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Summary Recent advances in the ability to culture the hepatic forms of mammalian malaria parasites, particularly of the important human pathogen Plasmodium falciparum have provided novel opportunities to study the ultrastrucural organisation of the parasite in its natural host cell the human hepatocyte. In this electron-microscopic and immunofluorescence study we have found the morphology of both parasite and host cell to be well preserved. The exoerythrocytic forms, which may be found at densities of up to 100/cm2, grow at rates comparable to that in vivo in the chimpanzee. In the multiplying 5- and 7-day schizogonic forms the ultrastructural organisation of the parasite bears striking resemblances to other mammalian parasites, e.g., the secretory activity and distribution of the peripheral vacuole system, but also homology with avian parasites, e.g., in nuclear and nucleolar structure and mitochondrial form. The latter homologies support earlier suggestions of the close phylogenetic relationship of P. falciparum with the avian parasites. Evidence is also presented showing the persistence of the cytoskeleton of the invasive sporozoite within the cytoplasm of the ensuing rapidly growing vegetative parasites. |
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Keywords: | Malaria Plasmodium falciparum Exoerythrocytic form Sporozoites Hepatocytes |
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