1-11. BLOOD AND TISSUE FLAGELLATES
The pathogenic hemoflagellates belong to the family Trypanosomatidae. They
are Trypanosoma species and Leishmania species.
Family Trypanosomatidae--THE HEMOFLAGELLATES
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
TWO GENERA--Leishmania, Trypanosoma.
ORGANELLES OF LOCOMOTION
KINETOPLAST: Position varies with organism and morphological forms; location
correlates with structural forms.
FLAGELLUM: Free, absent in some structural forms.
UNDULATING MEMBRANE--Found in some structural forms.
KINETOSOME--Indistinct
STRUCTURAL STAGES
AMASTIGOTE
"L-0 body," Leishman-Donovan bodies, found intracellular in reticuloendothelial cells,
identification form for Leishmania.
SIZE--2 to 5 mcm.
SHAPE--Oval.
NUCLEUS: Large, spherical.
KINETOPLAST: Large, rod shaped.
FLAGELLUM: Absent
PRESENCE IN THE HUMAN HOST: Yes.
AXONENE: Rarely seen as short, internal stem,
GIEMSA STAIN: Red nucleus, light blue cytoplasm.
Figure 1-35. Structural stages of hemoflagellates. (continued)
MD0842
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