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Electron Microscopy of Infectious AgentsCase 4: Cryptosporidium in the Bile Duct.Electron Microscopy |
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 Figure 9 Magnify Image |
Figure 9 is a low magnification field with a cluster of parasites. Most of these organisms are in the nucleated trophozoite stage, and are attached to the epithelial cell surface by an attachment apparatus | |
 Figure 10 Magnify Image |
(Figure 10) that consists of a thickened plate between the parasite and host cells, and membranous infoldings of the parasite cell membrane. Extending from the attachment plate is a thin cyst wall which surrounds the trophozoite. Other forms in the life cycle (1) may also be found. | |
 Figure 11 Magnify Image |
Figure 11 is a single celled microgamont with a large nucleus and polar ring. The microgamont undergoes a second phase of schizogony to give rise to several microgametes | |
 Figure 11 Magnify Image |
(Figure 12), which also have polar rings, which in some cells appear to be stacked. | |
| Discussion | ||
| August 1998 Case-of-the-Month | ||