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. 1971 Oct;108(1):535–544. doi: 10.1128/jb.108.1.535-544.1971

Electron Microscopy of Tissue Culture Cells Infected with Brucella abortus

Betty A Hatten 1, Shyi Yi Huang 1, M L Schulze 1, S Edward Sulkin 1
PMCID: PMC247095  PMID: 5001204

Abstract

Thin sections of hamster kidney tissue cultures were examined by electron microscopy over a 7-day period after infection with Brucella abortus 3183. Numerous bacteria and structures resembling L-forms were present both intracellularly and extracellularly after the first 24 hr of infection. Most intracellular microorganisms were enclosed by a cytoplasmic membrane, but in a few instances no limiting membrane was detected. After 4 to 7 days, fewer microorganisms were present, and most normal-appearing bacteria were intracellular, particularly in antibiotic-treated cultures. Structures typical of Brucella L-forms were extracellular at the latter time intervals. Several structures were observed in cells from infected cultures whose relationship to the infecting organisms is not known. These consisted of various membranous structures within cytoplasmic vacuoles, myelin-like structures surrounding occasional intracellular organisms, and small bodies present within vacuoles and extracellularly. The latter structures observed throughout the experimental period appeared to occur more frequently as the duration of the infection increased.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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