Abstract

MACEDO A, Sonia. Estudio Ultraestructural de Leptospira Biflexa Serovar Andamana cepa JNS al Microscopio Electrónico de Transmisión y Barrido. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica [online]. 2005, vol.22, n.4, pp.281-289. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objectives: To investigate Leptospira biflexa serovar Andamana, JNS strain ultrastructure using the metallic replication technique, ultrafine cuts, and negative staining for transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope high and ultra-high resolution imaging. Materials and methods: Andamana serovar, JNS strain logarithmic phase cultures, 12-15 x 106 cell/mL isolated from one patient were used. Negative staining, ultrafine slicing and metallic replication methods were used for transmission electron microscopy. For scanning electron microscopy, high and ultra-high resolution samples with gold and platinum coating were used. Results: Using the metallic replication method the external structure of individual cells was defined for Leptospira biflexa, Andamana serovar using transmission electron microscopy. Using the negative staining technique the three-layer external membrane could be seen, as well as axial filaments, cytoplasmic membrane, granular cytoplasm with electron-dense inclusions, «balloon» formations, «terminal structure» «terminal appendages», and also the electron-permeable inclusions, all of these were clearly defined. The typical morphology of the microorganism was observed using fine slices on scanning electron microscopy. Conclusions: For the first time we report the metallic replication technique for determining the external morphology in individual Leptospira biflexa, Andamana serovar, JNS strain, and this technique offers advantageous results compared to other methods. Ultrastructure and electron-permeable inclusions within the cytoplasm at a 120 000 power 20 KV were clearly seen using negative staining. Scanning electron microscopy was also useful for confirming the helical structure of the microorganism.

Keywords : Transmission and scanning electron microscopy; Leptospira biflexa serovar Andamana.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )