Causative microorganisms of rat-bite fever (Spirillum minus Carter or Spirochaeta morsus muris Futaki et al.) have been observed with the aid of the electron microscope.
The specimens prepared as follows:
The microorganisms collected from the peritoneal fluids of infected mice, and after the treating with 1 per cent osmic acid solution, mounted on the collodion films and seadowed with chromium.
The cell body of this microorganism became fiat and electron opacity decreased, and structure of flagellar roots investigated clearly. Many fine fibers attached at the end of the cell body, and these fibers possessed the basal granules. As this fact agreed with the observations of flagella in many bacterias, the fine fiber is a flagellum and the basal granule is a blepharoplast. The situtation, function, dispute about the flagellar number, absence of the axial filament and crista were described and discussed.
Figure 1 shows the semi-ghost cell and flagella. The cell body is very flat and electron opacity is low degree. The surface of cell wall is rough. Blepharoplasts flock together and from the large mass. Ten flagella can be seen in bundle state. Magnification×40, 000.
Figure 2 shows one whole cell and half. Many small halls regarded as the result caused by plasmoptysis, can be seen on the surface of this cell wall. Magnification×27, 500.
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