Figure 2. Maintenance of L. donovani amastigotes in S2 cells.

S2 cells were incubated with L. donovani amastigotes for 8 hr, external parasites removed by washing and fresh medium returned to the cells prior to fixation at the time points indicated. A. Mean number of parasites per cell at each time point. Data were analysed by two way unpaired Student’s t-test (not significant). B. Distribution of the number of parasites per cell at each time point. C. Transmission electron micrograph of S2 cell following incubation with L. donovani amastigotes for 24 hr. An amastigote in the process of cell division is shown, with the phagosome membrane clearly separated from the dividing parasite (black arrow). The sub-pellicular microtubules and flagella of the dividing parasites are also clearly visible (white arrows).