title: Development of quasi-multicellular bodies of Treponema denticola.
abstract: The formation of quasi-multicellular bodies of Treponema denticola was analysed using different electron microscopical methods. These bacteria could develop four different conformations: (i) normal helical forms; (ii) twisted spirochetes, forming plaits; (iii) twisted spirochetes,forming club-like structures; (iv) spherical bodies in different size. Treponemes within spherical bodies, plaits, and clubs proved to be enclosed in a common outer sheath in which the normal arrangement of their axial flagella was lost. The development of the quasi-multicellular bodies starting from the monoforme spirochetes was elucidated and this morphogenetic process is illustrated by a schematic drawing. Factors which might be involved in the induction of the structures are discussed and their possible pathogenetic importance is considered.
authors.affiliation: Robert Koch-Institut des Bundesgesundheitsamtes, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wecke
mesh_terms: D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology; D014208:Treponema / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014211:Treponemal Infections / Q000382:microbiology