Ultrastructural morphology of Cowdria ruminantium in midgut epithelial cells of adult Amblyomma hebraeum female ticks |
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Authors: | A Hart K M Kocan J D Bezuidenhout L Prozesky |
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Institution: | Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort. |
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Abstract: | Amblyomma hebraeum male and female ticks, experimentally infected as larvae with the Ball 3 stock of Cowdria ruminantium, were fed on a heartwater susceptible sheep. The initial attachment of the males was required as a pre-requisite for female attachment. Reticulate bodies were the predominant morphologic form of Cowdria observed in gut epithelial cells after 1-3 days of feeding. Single intermediate bodies and no elementary bodies were observed. Organisms were found within a membrane-bound vacuole and each organism had a double-unit membrane. Infrequently colonies contained homogeneous electron-dense inclusions. Groups of Cowdria organisms within a haemocyte suggested a possible dissemination of organisms from the gut to various other tissues by haemocytes. |
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