Ultrastructure of the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane of gram-negative bacteria with different fixation techniques

Multifunctional quaternized carbon dots with enhanced biofilm penetration and eradication efficiencies

Biofilm formation can lead to the treatment failure of persistent bacterial infections. Although a variety of antibacterial agents have been developed, the restricted drug penetration and the embedded bacteria's potentiated recalcitrance to these agents synergistically lead to the unsatisfactory anti-biofilm effect. Herein, we report the applications of metal-free quaternized carbon dots (CDs) in imaging and eliminating bacterial biofilms. The CDs prepared by the solvothermal treatment of dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride (abbreviated as Si-QAC) and glycerol possess ultrasmall size (ca. 3.3 ± 0.4 nm) and strong positively charged (zeta potential: ca. +33.1 ± 2.5 mV) surfaces with long alkyl chain-linked quaternary ammonium groups. The small size of the CDs endows them with the penetration ability into the interior of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial biofilms, which enables excellent fluorescence imaging of the biofilms. Due to the different surfaces of the two types of bacteria, the positively charged CDs selectively interact with the more negatively charged Gram-positive bacteria via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, which inactivates the Gram-positive bacteria and ultimately eradicates the Gram-positive bacterial biofilms. In addition, we synthesize a new type of quaternized CDs without long alkyl chains (termed TTPAC CDs), and validate that the long alkyl chains potentiate the hydrophobic adhesion between CDs and Gram-positive bacteria. Meanwhile, the crystal violet staining results reveal that the cationic CDs inhibit the formation of Gram-positive bacterial biofilms. Collectively, our work highlights the feasibility of using cationic and ultrasmall metal-free CDs to eliminate and inhibit Gram-positive bacterial biofilms, which represents a highly effective strategy to cope with refractory biofilm-associated infections.

Influence of the stabilizers on the toxicity of metallic nanomaterials in aquatic organisms and human cell lines

In this study, following a systematic approach, we used aquatic species (bacteria Vibrio fischeri and microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata) and different human cell lines (Caco-2, HepG2, SV-80 and HaCaT) representing different tissues and exposure pathways, to investigate how two organic stabilizers (PVA and DMSO) used for NMs dispersion influence their physicochemical properties, the persistence of metals in suspension and the toxicity/ecotoxicity of two metallic NMs (nano-Ag and nano-Cu). Although the stabilizers are expected to contribute to improve the dispersion and stability of NMs, the results obtained clearly showed that no similar changes in toxicity and morphological properties of the nano-Ag can be expected after its stabilization with PVA. Thus, regarding human cell lines, the reduction in the average size of the PVA-nano-Ag was followed by a reduction or maintenance of its toxicity, but the opposite was observed for the aquatic species tested since an increase in the average size enhanced its toxicity. As far as nano-Cu is considered DMSO contributed for a better dispersion of this nanomaterial, however this was not translated in a similar toxicity/ecotoxicity modification. In summary, even for nano-Cu, for which few or no data exists regarding its toxicity after stabilization with organic compounds, it was confirmed with consistent data, that the toxicity of metallic NMs is a complex combination of average size, chemical composition, solubilization or persistence in suspension of the metallic forms, interaction with test medium components and sensitivity of test species and cell lines. The combination of all of these factors makes the toxicity of metallic NMs unpredictable and points for the need of an extensive evaluation of each new formulation.

Latarcins: versatile spider venom peptides

Arthropod venoms feature the presence of cytolytic peptides believed to act synergetically with neurotoxins to paralyze prey or deter aggressors. Many of them are linear, i.e., lack disulfide bonds. When isolated from the venom, or obtained by other means, these peptides exhibit common properties. They are cationic; being mostly disordered in aqueous solution, assume amphiphilic α-helical structure in contact with lipid membranes; and exhibit general cytotoxicity, including antifungal, antimicrobial, hemolytic, and anticancer activities. To suit the pharmacological needs, the activity spectrum of these peptides should be modified by rational engineering. As an example, we provide a detailed review on latarcins (Ltc), linear cytolytic peptides from Lachesana tarabaevi spider venom. Diverse experimental and computational techniques were used to investigate the spatial structure of Ltc in membrane-mimicking environments and their effects on model lipid bilayers. The antibacterial activity of Ltc was studied against a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, the action of Ltc on erythrocytes and cancer cells was investigated in detail with confocal laser scanning microscopy. In the present review, we give a critical account of the progress in the research of Ltc. We explore the relationship between Ltc structure and their biological activity and derive molecular characteristics, which can be used for optimization of other linear peptides. Current applications of Ltc and prospective use of similar membrane-active peptides are outlined.

Characterization and antimicrobial performance of nano silver coatings on leather materials

In this study, the characterization and the antimicrobial properties of nano silver (nAg) coating on leather were investigated. For this purpose, turbidity, viscosity and pH of nAg solutions prepared by the sol-gel method were measured. The formation of films from these solutions was characterized according to temperature by Differential Thermal Analysis-Thermogravimetry (DTA-TG) equipment. The surface morphology of treated leathers was observed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The antimicrobial performance of nAg coatings on leather materials to the test microorganisms as Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Candida albicans and Aspergillius niger was evaluated by the application of qualitative (Agar overlay method) and quantitative (percentage of microbial reduction) tests. According to qualitative test results it was found that 20 μg/cm ² and higher concentrations of nAg on the leather samples were effective against all microorganisms tested. Moreover, quantitative test results showed that leather samples treated with 20 μg/cm ² of nAg demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli with 99.25% bacterium removal, whereas a 10 μg/cm ² concentration of nAg on leather was enough to exhibit the excellent percentage reduction against S. aureus of 99.91%. The results are promising for the use of colloidal nano silver solution on lining leather as antimicrobial coating.

Silver nanoparticle-embedded polymersome nanocarriers for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections

The rapidly diminishing number of effective antibiotics that can be used to treat infectious diseases and associated complications in a physician's arsenal is having a drastic impact on human health today. This study explored the development and optimization of a polymersome nanocarrier formed from a biodegradable diblock copolymer to overcome bacterial antibiotic resistance. Here, polymersomes were synthesized containing silver nanoparticles embedded in the hydrophobic compartment, and ampicillin in the hydrophilic compartment. Results showed for the first time that these silver nanoparticle-embedded polymersomes (AgPs) inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli transformed with a gene for ampicillin resistance (bla) in a dose-dependent fashion. Free ampicillin, AgPs without ampicillin, and ampicillin polymersomes without silver nanoparticles had no effect on bacterial growth. The relationship between the silver nanoparticles and ampicillin was determined to be synergistic and produced complete growth inhibition at a silver-to-ampicillin ratio of 1 : 0.64. In this manner, this study introduces a novel nanomaterial that can effectively treat problematic, antibiotic-resistant infections in an improved capacity which should be further examined for a wide range of medical applications.

Silver polymeric nanocomposites as advanced antimicrobial agents: classification, synthetic paths, applications, and perspectives

Utilization of metallic nanoparticles in various biotechnological and medical applications represents one of the most extensively investigated areas of the current materials science. These advanced applications require the appropriate chemical functionalization of the nanoparticles with organic molecules or their incorporation in suitable polymer matrices. The intensified interest in polymer nanocomposites with silver nanoparticles is due to the high antimicrobial effect of nanosilver as well as the unique characteristics of polymers which include their excellent structural uniformity, multivalency, high degree of branching, miscellaneous morphologies and architectures, and highly variable chemical composition. In this review, we explore several aspects of antimicrobial polymer silver nanocomposites, giving special focus to the critical analysis of the reported synthetic routes including their advantages, drawbacks, possible improvements, and real applicability in antibacterial and antifungal therapy. A special attention is given to "green" synthetic routes exploiting the biopolymeric matrix and to the methods allowing preparing magnetically controllable antimicrobial polymers for targeting to an active place. The controversial mechanism of the action of silver against bacteria, fungi and yeasts as well as perspectives and new applications of silver polymeric nanocomposites is also briefly discussed.

The damage of outer membrane of Escherichia coli in the presence of TiO2 combined with UV light

The biological consequences of exposure to TiO2, UV light, and their combined effect were studied on the Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells. The damage of outer membrane was observed for the cells after treatment of TiO2 or UV light. TiO2 alone can break down lipopolysacchride (LPS), the outermost layer of the E. coli cells, but was not able to destroy peptidoglycan underneath. The same phenomenon was observed for E. coli under 500 W UV light treatment alone. However, the outer membrane of E. coli could be removed completely in the presence of both TiO2 and UV light, and the cells became elliptical or round without a mechanically strong network. From the analysis of the concentrations for Ca2+ and Mg2+, a large amount of Ca2+ and Mg2+ were detected in the solution of the treated cells by photo-catalysis, and this was attributed to the damage of LPS dispatches. After TiO2 or UV light treatment, a significant decrease in membrane fluidity of E. coli was found from an increase in fluorescence polarization by a fluorescence probe. The permeability of the treated cells increased to some degree that can be confirmed by quantum dots labeling technique.

Study on antibacterial mechanism of copper-bearing austenitic antibacterial stainless steel by atomic force microscopy

A study was made on the antibacterial mechanism of copper-bearing austenitic antibacterial stainless steel by a series of methods such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) observation, force-distance curves and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer test. It was observed by AFM that the structure of the outer cell membrane responsible for the cell permeability was substantially changed for the bacteria after contacting with the antibacterial stainless steel, showing that cell walls were seriously damaged and a lot of contents in the cells leaked. It was also found that the adhesion force of bacteria to antibacterial stainless steel was considerably greater than that to the contrast steel, indicating that the electrostatic forces by Cu(2+ )being an important factor for killing bacteria.

Ultrastructure of a novel Cardinium sp. symbiont in Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

An ultrastructural study of the novel symbiont Cardinium sp. was performed with particular attention to the description of the structure and organization of highly elaborated cytoplasmic complexes containing microtubule-like elements (MLC). Three major components were observed. The first was a system of microtubule-like elements (ML) arranged in parallel array extending from the plasma membrane into the cytosol of the bacterium. The second, an fibrous electrondense plaque (FEP), approximately 8 nm thick, located 7.5 nm away from the plasma membrane and parallel to it. The third component, not previously reported, was described for the first time in this paper. This consisted of a set of regularly distributed 8 nm electron-dense structures (ES), with a center-to-center spacing of about 12 nm, adhering to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. Often, the ES created a close connection between the plasma membrane and the outer membrane, so that in this area they became straight and stiff. The first and second component of these structures are compared to previously described microtubules and microfilaments.

Silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial agent: a case study on E. coli as a model for Gram-negative bacteria

The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles against E. coli was investigated as a model for Gram-negative bacteria. Bacteriological tests were performed in Luria-Bertani (LB) medium on solid agar plates and in liquid systems supplemented with different concentrations of nanosized silver particles. These particles were shown to be an effective bactericide. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) were used to study the biocidal action of this nanoscale material. The results confirmed that the treated E. coli cells were damaged, showing formation of "pits" in the cell wall of the bacteria, while the silver nanoparticles were found to accumulate in the bacterial membrane. A membrane with such a morphology exhibits a significant increase in permeability, resulting in death of the cell. These nontoxic nanomaterials, which can be prepared in a simple and cost-effective manner, may be suitable for the formulation of new types of bactericidal materials.

Study on biological effect of La 3+ on Escherichia coli by atomic force microscopy

The biological effects of rare-earth metal ions on the organism have been studied using La3+ as a probe ion and Escherichia coli cell as a target organism. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies reveal that La3+ substantially changes the structure of the outer cell membrane responsible for the cell permeability. Significant damages of the outer cell membrane are observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after the introduction of La3+. In result, the cell becomes easily attacked by lysozyme. Moreover, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements show considerable amount of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the supernatant from the La3+ exposed cells. It is proposed that La3+ can replace Ca2+ from the binding sites because of their close ionic radii and similar ligand specificities. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which forms the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, could not serve as the cellular envelope steadily after Ca2+ and Mg2+ released from their binding sites on the LPS patches.

Ultrastructural and genetic evidence of a reptilian tick, Aponomma hydrosauri, as a host of Rickettsia honei in Australia: possible transovarial transmission

In 1993, a novel rickettsia was isolated from the blood of inhabitants of Flinders Island, Australia, with acute febrile illnesses. This rickettsia was found to be a new species of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia, eventually named Rickettsia honei. The suspected ectoparasite vector of this rickettsia has yet to be identified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of this rickettsial species in a suspected tick vector, Aponomma hydrosauri, by DNA sequencing and electron microscopy (EM). Ticks collected from an Australian blue-tongued lizard on Flinders Island and a copperhead snake in Tasmania were demonstrated to be infected with R. honei by PCR, DNA sequencing, and EM. Rickettsiae were found in ultrathin sections of salivary glands, malpighian tubules, and midgut epithelial cells. In a previous study with a R. honei-infected tick from Flinders Island, rickettsiae were found in the nuclei of midgut epithelial cells, and EM also revealed the presence of rickettsiae in the cytosol of oocytes and immature eggs, suggesting transovarial transmission. These results implicate A. hydrosauri as a possible host of R. honei on Flinders Island and Tasmania and also provide evidence favoring transovarial maintenance of R. honei.

Freeze-substitution studies of bacteria

Typically, models of bacterial structure combine biochemical data obtained from bulk analyses of cell populations with electron microscopic observation of individual cells. Recent development of a battery of cryotechniques specific for biological electron microscopy have begun to supercede routine procedures such as conventional thin sectioning. One of these cryotechniques, freeze-substitution, combines the advantages of ultrarapid freezing with standard microtomy methods. This technique is particularly well suited to the examination of bacterial structure and has yielded additional ultrastructural information consistent with biochemical data but often challenging models of cell structure obtained from conventional microscopical methods. In addition to retaining more accurately the spatial distribution of cell components, freeze-substitution has been successfully combined with immunochemical labelling techniques and has enabled identification and localization of specific molecules both within the cell and on the cell surface. In this review, I describe current ideas on bacterial ultrastructure, modified in accordance with new data obtained from recent freeze-substitution studies.

Evaluation of freeze-substitution and conventional embedding protocols for routine electron microscopic processing of eubacteria

Freeze-substitution and more conventional embedding protocols were evaluated for their accurate preservation of eubacterial ultrastructure. Radioisotopes were specifically incorporated into the RNA, DNA, peptidoglycan, and lipopolysaccharide of two isogenic derivatives of Escherichia coli K-12 as representative gram-negative eubacteria and into the RNA and peptidoglycan of Bacillus subtilis strains 168 and W23 as representative gram-positive eubacteria. Radiolabeled bacteria were processed for electron microscopy by conventional methods with glutaraldehyde fixation, osmium tetroxide postfixation, dehydration in either a graded acetone or ethanol series, and infiltration in either Spurr or Epon 812 resin. A second set of cells were simultaneously freeze-substituted by plunge-freezing in liquid propane, substituting in anhydrous acetone containing 2% (wt/vol) osmium tetroxide, and 2% (wt/vol) uranyl acetate, and infiltrating in Epon 812. Extraction of radiolabeled cell components was monitored by liquid scintillation counting at all stages of processing to indicate retention of cell labels. Electron microscopy was also used to visually confirm ultrastructural integrity. Radiolabeled nucleic acid and wall components were extracted by both methods. In conventionally embedded specimens, dehydration was particularly damaging, with ethanol-dehydrated cells losing significantly more radiolabeled material during dehydration and subsequent infiltration than acetone-treated cells. For freeze-substituted specimens, postsubstitution washes in acetone were the most deleterious step for gram-negative cells, while infiltration was more damaging for gram-positive cells. Autoradiographs of specimens collected during freeze-substitution were scanned with an optical densitometer to provide an indication of freezing damage; the majority of label lost from freeze-substituted cells was a result of poor freezing to approximately one-half of the cell population, thus accounting for the relatively high levels of radiolabel detected in the processing fluids. These experiments revealed that gram-positive and gram-negative cells respond differently to freezing; these differences are discussed with reference to wall structure. It was apparent that the cells frozen first (ie., the first to contact the cryogen) retained the highest percentage of all radioisotopes, and the highest level of cellular infrastructure, indicative of better preservation. The preservation of these select cells was far superior to that obtained by more conventional techniques.

Effect of chemical fixatives on accurate preservation of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis structure in cells prepared by freeze-substitution

Five chemical fixatives were evaluated for their ability to accurately preserve bacterial ultrastructure during freeze-substitution of select Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis strains. Radioisotopes were specifically incorporated into the peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharide, and nucleic acids of E. coli SFK11 and W7 and into the peptidoglycan and RNA of B. subtilis 168 and W23. The ease of extraction of radiolabels, as assessed by liquid scintillation counting during all stages of processing for freeze-substitution, was used as an indicator of cell structural integrity and retention of cellular chemical composition. Subsequent visual examination by electron microscopy was used to confirm ultrastructural conformation. The fixatives used were: 2% (wt/vol) osmium tetroxide and 2% (wt/vol) uranyl acetate; 2% (vol/vol) glutaraldehyde and 2% (wt/vol) uranyl acetate; 2% (vol/vol) acrolein and 2% (wt/vol) uranyl acetate; 2% (wt/vol) gallic acid; and 2% (wt/vol) uranyl acetate. All fixatives were prepared in a substitution solvent of anhydrous acetone. Extraction of cellular constituents depended on the chemical fixative used. A combination of 2% osmium tetroxide-2% uranyl acetate or 2% gallic acid alone resulted in optimum fixation as ascertained by least extraction of radiolabels. In both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, high levels of radiolabel were detected in the processing fluids in which 2% acrolein-2% uranyl acetate, 2% glutaraldehyde-2% uranyl acetate, or 2% uranyl acetate alone were used as fixatives. Ultrastructural variations were observed in cells freeze-substituted in the presence of different chemical fixatives. We recommend the use of osmium tetroxide and uranyl acetate in acetone for routine freeze-substitution of eubacteria, while gallic acid is recommended for use when microanalytical processing necessitates the omission of osmium.

Morphology of three strains of contagious equine metritis organism

Examination of recently isolated cultures of three strains of Contagious Equine Metritis Organism grown on specially formulated, serum-free, clear typing medium revealed the presence of numerous colonial opacity variants. These colonies were prepared by a number of fixation and staining techniques and examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Opaque and transparent phenotypes produced copious amounts of extracellular material compared with intermediate-opacity phenotypes which produced little or none. Also unique to intermediate colonies were numerous thin intercellular strands, which may represent pili or polymers of extracellular material. The presence of an unusual fibrillar layer (with similar electron density to the extracellular material) on the outer leaf of the outer membrane also was confirmed. A number of other ultrastructural features also were noted, including an epilayer, a thin nonmembranous layer which covered colonies and adjacent agar.

Ultrastructural characterization of capsulated Haemophilus influenzae type b and two spontaneous nontypable mutants

Capsulated Haemophilus influenzae type b and two spontaneous mutants (classes I and II variants) were characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. When cells were treated with type b-specific antiserum prior to manipulations for electron microscopy, sectioned capsulated cells had electron-dense, fibrous capsular antigen-antibody complexes around them. In negatively stained preparations, the complexes appeared as electron-transparent zones surrounding cells. In contrast, only residual electron-dense, extracellular material was seen in sectioned, untreated, capsulated cells, and electron-dense "bridges" connected adjacent cells in negatively stained preparations. No extracellular capsular material was seen around the class I and II variants. Characteristic electron-translucent regions were always observed within the cytosol of the class I cells, both in thin sections and by negative staining. These areas were located adjacent to the cell envelope separating the plasma membrane from the dense cytoplasmic matrix. At times, electron-dense, thread-like material extended from the dense cytoplasmic matrix to the plasma membrane. No such regions were seen in the capsulated and class II cells. Class I cells fixed with methanol or suspended in NaCl or phosphate-buffered saline prior to treatment with fluorescein-tagged type b-specific antiserum (FTA reagent) exhibited, by immunofluorescence, patches of capsular antigen along their sides. However, when fixed with glutaraldehyde or OsO4 or suspended in tris-(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane plus Ca2+ buffer prior to treatment with FTA reagent, no patches of capsular antigen were seen. Subsequent exposure of the latter cells to methanol followed by treatment with FTA reagent resulted in the reappearance of the patches of capsular antigen. Thus, in the class I variant the capsular antigen is unlikely to be surface located. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that class I and II variant cells within undisturbed colonies were regularly aligned side-by-side, whereas cells within colonies of the capsulated strain were randomly distributed.

Inactivation by detergents of the proline transport system in membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli and its reactivation by bovine serum albumin

The proline transport system of membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli was inactivated by a low concentration of detergents such as deoxycholate, dodecyl sulfate and Triton X-100. The addition of a large amount of bovine serum albumin to membrane vesicles which had been treated with one of these detergents resulted in the restoration of the proline transport activity. The restoration of the transport activity by bovine serum albumain was most remarkable with the deoxycholate-inactivated membrane vesicle. 80% inactivation of the transport system with 0.005% deoxycholate was completely overcome by the addition of albumin. The degree of restoration was dependent on the concentration of albumin. Although albumin stimulated the proline transport activity itself, the stimulatory effect could not account for the restoration of transport activity. The binding of deoxy [14C]cholate to the membrane vesicle was roughly proportional to the amount of detergent added. Deoxycholate once bound to the membrane vesicle was removed almost completely by the incubation with albumin. It is concluded that the removal of detergent from the membrane vesicle by bovine serum albumin results in the restoration of the proline transport activity.

In vitro reassembly of the membranous vesicle from Escherichia coli outer membrane components. Role of individual components and magnesium ions in reassembly

A method was developed for the reassembly of membranous vesicle from the sodium deoxycholate-dissociated outer membrane components of Escherichia coli. The removal of the detergent by dialysis and the presence of Mg2+ were essential for the reassembly. Membrane protein alone did not form any membranous structure. Closed membranous vesicles similar to the native outer membrane were reassembled only when protein was mixed with both lipopolysaccharide and phospholipid in deoxycholate solution and subsequently dialized. The membrane showed a distinct trilaminar structure with a center-to-center distance between two dark lines of 53 A, which is a characteristic of the native outer membrane. This characteristic trilaminar structure was shown to be due to the presence of lipopolysaccharide. Phospholipd was required for the vesicularization of membrane. Lipopolysaccharide and/or phospholipid formed a membranous structure in the absence of protein, while the morphology of their negatively stained sample was quite different from that of the native outer membrane unless the outer membrane protein was added to the reassembly mixture. The protein from the cytoplasmic membrane was unable to reform membranous vesicle with lipopolysaccharide and phospholipid, indicating that the reassembly system discriminated outer membrane proteins from cytoplasmic proteins.

Mesosomes: membranous bacterial organelles

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Yersinia pestis: correlation of ultrastructures and immunological status

Ultrastructural identification and localization of the fraction 1 "envelope" antigen in the plague bacillus Yersinia pestis were the primary objectives of this brief study. The antigenicity of extra-cellular material between the bacilli in undisturbed cultured colonies and that of the pathogen per se were measured and correlated by means of the semi quantitative complement fixation method after incubation for 72 h at 37 C. When the amount of extracellular substance in wild-type T1 (virulent) bacteria was compared by electron microscopy with that in avirulent strains of Y. pestis, with and without passage through guinea pigs, we found that the material of interest was greatly attenuated or even absent in colonies that had not been passed through animals, whereas passage markedly augmented production of the material. We also explored the requirement for larger quantities of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) in the culture media and discovered that without these ions production of the extracellular material was limited. These observations support the hypothesis that this extracellular substance between cultured Y. pestis bacilli of various strains represents the source of the fraction 1 envelope antigen.

Flagellar ultrastructure and flagella-associated antigens of Campylobacter fetus

Ultrastructural examinations of the flagellum of Compylobacter (Vibrio) fetus were performed throughout the growth cycle. Filament diameters, exceeding 17.6 nm during the exponential phase, were substantially greater than those reported for unsheathed flagella of other genera with the exception of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Filament diameters increased during growth, reaching a mean width of 21.2 nm in middle to late stationary phase. Internal flagellar structure, principally of the parallel lined variety, was observed during the later periods of growth but not during exponential or early stationary phase. Despite the unusually large filament sizes, no evidence of a flagellar sheath was observed after selected treatments (0.01 N HCl, 6 M urea, tris(hydroxymethyl) amino-methane-hydrochloride buffer, warm water) or examination of thin sections. To determine whether alterations in filament size and variable ability to demonstrate filament fine structure were correlated with progressive changes in serological activity, agglutination and immobilization tests were conducted with antisera directed against intact flagella, the principal flagellar antigen, the O antigen, and a superficial glycoprotein which has been found in association with the flagellum and the cell envelope. Significant differences in the serological activity of cells at different growth intervals were not noted with any of the sera employed.

Ultrastructural study of Pierce's disease bacterium in grape xylem tissue

The rod-shaped rickettsia-like bacteria of Pierce's disease measure about 0.25 to 0.50 mum in diameter and 1.0 to 4.0 mum long. The bacteria have a cell wall consisting of a trilaminar outer membrane and two intermediate low-density layers separated by a dense intermediate layer. A trilaminar cytoplasmic membrane is also present, resulting in a total wall complex thickness of 25 to 40 nm. A periodic infolding of the outer membrane and intermediate layers of the wall give the wall surface a ridged apperance. The ridges appear to go around the long axis of the cell, possibly in the form of spirals. Ribosomes and nuclear regions with easily visible deoxyribonucleic acid strands and clumps are distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Binary fission, during which the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane folded inward to partition the cell, was observed. In the xylem of infected grapes, the bacteria are either distributed evenly throughout the lumen of the xylem vessel or appressed along the inner surface of the vessel walls in an electron-lucent matrix.