title: Scanning electron microscopy of the surface coat of Blastocystis hominis.
abstract: Scanning electron microscopy of Blastocystis hominis showed that its outer coat has a fibrillar structure and individual fibrils may extend up to 5 microm from the periphery of the parasite. The surface coat remains intact during cell division. Bacteria are often seen adhering to it, but for the first time a trophozoite of Chilomastix mesnili was also seen in this position. It is postulated that breakdown of attached organisms may provide nutrients for Blastocystis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences Medical College, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. viqar.zaman@aku.edu
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zaman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Goh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000469:parasitology; D016845:Blastocystis hominis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013499:Surface Properties