Light and electron microstructure of a Sarcocystis sp. from the Malaysian long-tailed monkey, Macaca fascicularis
Kan, S.P.; Prathap, K.; Dissanaike, A.S.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 28(4): 634-642
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 111569 Document Number: 152593
The cyst wall and zooites of a Sarcocystis sp. from the skeletal muscles of naturally infected Macaca fascicularis, from Malaysia, were observed by electron microscopy. The primary cyst wall, a thin (about 55 nm) electron-dense layer, is wavy in some areas and more deeply folded in others; scattered along the wall are invaginations about 89 nm in diameter and 19 nm in depth. Cytophaneres are absent. The ground substance contains electron-dense granules and, infrequently seen, bundles of parallel fibrillar elements 0.45 nm in diameter. Thin trabeculae are present. The zoites measure 1.2 X 4.7 mu m and have an interior conoid, 22 subpellicular microtubules, 50 to 60 micronemes, 4 to 6 rhoptries and a posteriorly situated nucleus. The ultrastructure of this species is similar to Sarcocystis spp. from the rhesus monkey, baboon, tamarin and moonrat (an insectivore) and its light microscope appearance resembles that of parasites from the 4 cases of human Sarcocystis reported in Malaysia.