Fig 4. Macrophages pre-incubated with apoptotic cells and challenged with E. cuniculi.

(A) Image showing clusters of E. cuniculi spores in a lighter area of the cytoplasm, suggesting a parasitophorous vacuole (arrows). Spores inside the macrophage with preserved characteristics (arrowhead) stained with toluidine blue. (B) Ultramicrography showing clusters of E. cuniculi spores in the macrophage cytoplasm with ruptured cell membrane following the multiplication of the pathogen (arrow). (C) Ultramicrography of E. cuniculi spores in the macrophage cytoplasm showing signs of polar tubule extrusion (arrow), as a sign of viability. Note that the rupture of the resin next to the spores is a characteristic finding of microsporidia.