Author:
Lee T. D. G.,Wright K. A.
Abstract
The 'tunnel' within which the nematode Trichuris muris is contained was examined by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The amount of worm covered by the tunnel varied with age. Young larval worms were completely embedded in the host's intestinal mucosa whereas older larvae and adults had part, if not all, of the posterior region protruding into the lumen. All worms were found to have heads embedded in the tissue and in no cases were whole worms found free in the lumen.The 'tunnel' was shown to be a syncytial protoplasmic mass with recognizable cellular elements such as nuclei, lipid droplets, mitrochondria, and mucous droplets anteriorly whereas more distal to the head these elements became increasingly scarce and degenerated. The syncytium is bordered apically, laterally, and basally by cell membrane. The basal lamina can be identified beneath the basal membrane of the syncytium indicating that syncytium formation occurs in the epithelial sheet only and does not extend into the lamina propria. Evidence suggests that the nematode initially induces a syncytium about its head, feeds on the syncytial cytoplasm, and then moves on to initiate extension of the syncytium. The result of this movement is a 'tunnel' snaking across the caecum and colon.
Publisher
Canadian Science Publishing
Subject
Animal Science and Zoology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cited by
59 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献