1987 Volume 26 Issue 1 Pages 49-56
Electron microscopic studies were performed on chlamydia-infected HeLa cells as fundamental research in clinical cytology.
(1) HeLa cells in the relatively early stage of infection were characterized by dominant reticulate bodies, and showed smaller inclusion bodies with lesser numbers but more densely packed masses of chlamydia.
(2) Cells of later stages exhibited increased numbers of intermediate and elementary bodies, and large inclusion bodies oppressing the nucleus.
(3) In the final stage, chlamydia decreased in number in inclusion bodies with loose scattering of elementary bodies inside and with distinct borders.
(4) The measured size of chlamydia was as follows: elementary body 0.36±0.02μm, intermediate body 0.47±0.07μm, reticulate body 0.68±0.44μm.
(5) Ultrastructural changes in HeLa cells with chlamydia infection were relatively slight, compared with other microorganic infections, in nucleus and organella, except for the oppressed nucleus and inclusion-body formation.
