Infection of mouse dermal fibroblasts by the monoxenous trypanosomatid protozoa Crithidia deanei and Herpetomonas roitmani.
Traditionally, monoxenous trypanosomatid protozoa are not believed to infect vertebrate cells. Using light and electron microscopy, we show that the monoxenous trypanosomatids Crithidia deanei and Herpetomonas roitmani are able to infect dermal mouse fibroblasts in vitro. We present experimental evidence of phagocytosis of these trypanosomatids, and demonstrate their survival in vertebrate cells. This paper raises the question about the role of C. deanei and H. roitmani, and perhaps other monoxenous trypanosomatid species, in opportunistic infections of immunocompromised individuals and cutaneos lesions in vertebrate hosts.
Santos
Dilvani O
DO
Depto. de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de João Baptista s/n, Valonguinho, 24.020-150 Niterói, RJ, Brazil. dilos@terra.com.br
Bourguignon
Saulo C
SC
Castro
Helena Carla
HC
Silva
Jonatan S
JS
Franco
Leonardo S
LS
Hespanhol
Renata
R
Soares
Maurilio J
MJ
Corte-Real
Suzana
S
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000469:parasitology*; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D014351:Trypanosomatina / Q000145:classification / Q000648:ultrastructure*