title: A simple and efficient method to observe internal structures of helminths by scanning electron microscopy.
abstract: Morphological studies of helminths by scanning electron microscopy are generally limited to the external topography of the organisms. In this work, we present a simple technique using ethanol as a cryoprotectant without postfixation in osmium tetroxide that allows for observation of the inner organization of helminths and preserves cellular structures. We tested the technique in three helminths: Echinostoma paraensei, Cruzia tentaculata, and Hassalstrongylus epsilon. The results show that this technique could potentially be applied to study the morphology, ultrastructure, and taxonomy of helminths.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia de Helmintos Otto Wucherer, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Bloco G, Ilha do Fundão, 21949-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando Antônio de O
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Adnet
authors.forename: Júlia P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Wanderley
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Attias
mesh_terms: D000825:Animal Structures / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D017162:Ascaridida / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004449:Echinostoma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D014251:Trichostrongyloidea / Q000648:ultrastructure*