Ultrastructural studies of the nucleoids of the pleomorphic forms of Chlamydia psittaci 6BC: a comparison with bacteria

Abstract

The nucleoids of the various pleomorphic forms of Chlamydia psittaci have been examined by direct observation of infected cells and by observations on isolated particles. The fixation and staining methods used were the same as those routinely used for the examination of bacteria to facilitate the comparison of chlamydial fine structure with that of bacteria. The nucleoids of reticulate bodies were composed of fine fibrils which extended throughout these particles. The nucleoids of intermediate bodies are characterized by an electron-dense mass with which the fibrous elements are associated in a structurally coherent manner. As condensation of the intermediate bodies proceeds, the electron-dense mass becomes eccentrically located and the fibers form a distinct radiating structure. Large elementary bodies have a few fibers associated with their condensed electron-dense nucleoids but the more condensed mature elementary bodies have a very discrete and homogeneous electron-dense nucleoid which is separated from the cytoplasmic elements of these particles by a very distinct electron-transparent space. These highly condensed elementary body nucleoids are usually ovoid, but may be elongated or irregular, and a small number of these structures react very strongly with ruthenium red. While the nucleoid structure of reticulate bodies resembles that of the bacterial cell, both the condensation process and the nucleoid morphologies which result from it in intermediate and elementary bodies have no parallels among the bacteria. Thus we conclude that major differences in nucleoid organization exist between the chlamydia and the bacteria.