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Topography and Ultrastructure of the tegument of adult Schistosoma mekongi

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

P. Sobhon ,
E. S. Upatham  and
Diane J. McLaren
P. Sobhon
Affiliation:
Departments of Anatomy and Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
E. S. Upatham
Affiliation:
Departments of Anatomy and Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Diane J. McLaren
Affiliation:
Division of Parasitology, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA
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Summary

The tegument of adult Schistosoma mekongi has been studied by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The gross surface topography of the parasite resembles that of S. japonicum, in that branched ridges, microvilli and sensory papillae predominate; such characteristics distinguish these two species from the non-oriental schistosomes. A unique feature of S. mekongi, however, is the numerous pleomorphic protruberances which are concentrated particularly on the middle three-fourths of the body surface. Transmission electron microscopy has revealed that these protruberances enclose bundles of microfilaments which appear to insert into the tegumental outer membrane. The microfilaments are suggested to have a supportive or stabilizing function, and may compensate for the absence of more typical crystalline spines. The tegumental outer membrane is typically heptalaminate in section, while the basal membrane infoldings are surrounded by concentrations of mitochondria. Three types of tegumental inclusion bodies have been recognized. Discoid bodies and membraneous bodies are morphologically identical to those described in all other schistosome species, except that the latter inclusions have been seen connected to each other and to the tegumental outer membrane by unique channels lined with trilaminate membrane. The third inclusion takes the form of spherical, lucent vesicles containing membrane fragments; these may represent the remains of spent membraneous bodies.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 89 , Issue 3 , December 1984 , pp. 511 - 521
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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