Free-living ciliates as potential reservoirs for eukaryotic parasites: occurrence of a trypanosomatid in the macronucleus of Euplotes encysticus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Flagellates of the family Trypanosomatidae are obligate endoparasites, which can be found in various hosts. Several genera infect insects and occur as monoxenous parasites especially in representatives of Diptera and Hemiptera. These trypanosomatid flagellates probably share the worldwide distribution of their hosts, which are often infested by large numbers of endoparasites. Traditionally, their taxonomy was based on morphology, host origin, and life cycle. Here we report the characterization of a trypanosomatid infection detected in a protozoan, a ciliate collected from a polluted freshwater pond in a suburb of New Delhi (India).

Methods

Live observations and morphological studies applying light, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy were conducted.

SUBMITTER: Fokin SI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4022238 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature