Electron-microscopic observations of the Coccidioides immitis parasitic cycle in vivo.
BALB/c mice were inoculated by intranasal challenge with viable arthroconidia of C. immitis and in-vivo morphogenesis of the fungal pathogen was investigated by electron-microscopic examination of pulmonary lavage and cryofractured lung specimens. Samples were prepared at intervals over an 11-day period. Stages of spherule and endospore development were easily identified by scanning and thin-section electron microscopy. Details of morphogenesis of the pathogen in vivo closely resemble developmental aspects reported from in-vitro studies.
D000818:Animals; D003045:Coccidioides / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009024:Morphogenesis; D013172:Spores, Fungal