On the Fine Structure of Trypanosoma cruzi in Tissue Cultures of Pigment Epithelium from the Chick Embryo. Uptake of Melanin Granules by the Parasite*

Trypanosoma cruzi has been cultured in pigment epithelial cells of the iris from the chick embryo. Melanin granules, identical with those of the host cells were found in the intracellular, amastigote (leishmania) forms. In many of the intracellular forms cytostome-like structures were seen, often in intimate contact with the pigment granules of the host cells, which suggests the uptake of melanin granules through the cytostomes by the process of intracellular phagotrophy.