A CYTOLOGICAL STUDY OF COCCIDIOIDES IMMITIS BY ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Abstract

Electron micrographs of thin sections of tissue and culture phases of C immitis reveal many similarities between the 2 phases. The nuclei are limited by a double membrane with pores and possess nucleoli in contact with the nuclear membrane. Mitochondria are found in close association with the nucleus and with cleavage furrows. They tend to be spherical in the sporangial phase and elongate in the mycelial phase. The cytoplasmic membrane appears to precede the cell wall in the formation of septa and cleavage furrows. Cross wall formation is intimately associated with the cytoplasmic membrane and with septal granules. The nature of the septal granules is discussed and the development of lipid granules and the sporangial capsule layer is described.