Researchers detail in 'Balamuthia mandrillaris: the multiple nuclei of Balamuthia amebas; their location, activity, and site of development,' new data in parasitology. According to recent research from the United States, 'Multiple nuclei were first noted in the pseudopodia of Balamuthia mandrillaris amebas feeding on mammalian cells. Phase microscope observations of live amebas in vitro reveal that while many amebas have a single nucleus, others have multiple nuclear-like structures, now confirmed as nuclei with hematoxylin and Feulgen stains.'
'In the live cultures, two nuclei located near the tip of an extended pseudopodium were seen to fuse resulting in one larger morphologic unit. Such merging of nuclei has not been previously reported. Other nuclei were located at positions that subsequently became the site for the outgrowth of an additional pseudopod branch. A newly discovered large structure, a polyploid nucleus, was located in the mid-part of the ameba,' wrote T.H Dunnebacke and colleagues (see also Parasitology).
The researchers concluded: 'Nucleoli of uniform size were seen to develop from the central mass of chromatin and each became surrounded by a vesicular component as they moved into the protoplasm as morphologically complete nuclei.'
Dunnebacke and colleagues published their study in Experimental Parasitology (Balamuthia mandrillaris: the multiple nuclei of Balamuthia amebas; their location, activity, and site of development. Experimental Parasitology, 2010;126(1):14-21).
For additional information, contact T.H. Dunnebacke, Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory, California Dept. of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Richmond, CA 94804-6403 USA.
Keywords: City:Richmond, State:CA, Country:United States, Parasitology.
This article was prepared by Science Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Science Letter via NewsRx.com.
