Surface and Thin Section Ultrastructure of 'Fusobacterium polymorphum'.
Abstract
Fusobacterium polymorphum was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Organisms negatively stained with phosphotungstic acid showed the typical convoluted gram negative surface morphology. The same preparations revealed variability in cell length and the occasional presence of a circular polar appendage. The characteristic three layered morphology of the gram negative cell envelope was demonstrated in ultra-thin sections of these oral anaerobic bacteria. In some areas, there was an outpouching of the outer membrane which enclosed an enlarged area of the periplasmic space. Ruthenium red/osmium tetroxide fixed organisms displayed a layer of dense surface granules which did not appear in the thin sections of F. polymorphum that were fixed with osmium tetroxide alone. Proposed pathogenic functions of the outer membrane lined periplasmic sac and the surface polysaccharide coat are discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA038112
Entities
People
- Charles E. Hawley
- James R. Mongiello
- Nancy K. Zeller
- William A. Falkler Jr.
Organizations
- University of Maryland, Baltimore