Leishmania mexicana amazonensis: attachment to the membrane of the phagocytic vacuole of macrophages in vivo

Abstract

Intracellular forms of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis divide inside the phagocytic vacuole of macrophages. Some parasites attach to the membrane of the phagocytic vacuole while others remain free in the vacuole. Examination of thin sections of the attachment region by electron microscopy revealed a space of 2 nm between the membrane of the phagocytic vacuole and the plasma membrane of the parasite. Freeze-fracture replicas showed an array of intramembranous particles in some areas of the parasite's plasma membrane resembling a gap junction which, in other cells, is involved in the process of intracellular communication.