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Infection and immunity1976; 13(1); 273-280; doi: 10.1128/iai.13.1.273-280.1976

Ultrastructural observations on Ehrlichia equi organisms in equine granulocytes.

Abstract: The ultrastructure of the etiological agent of equine ehrlichiosis, Ehrlichia equi, was studied in equine peripheral leukocytes. The organisms occurred within membrane-lined cytoplasmic vacuoles of neutrophils and eosinophils. Ovoid, round, and rod-shaped profiles were observed. From 1 to 33 organisms were present in a thin-section profile of a cytoplasmic vacuole. Many cells contained multiple organism-containing vacuoles. The organisms had a cell wall and plasma membrane, and internally they consisted of electron-dense and lucid areas. A great variation in size was observed. The morphological features were most consistent with agents of the genus Ehrlichia.
Publication Date: 1976-01-11 PubMed ID: 1248873PubMed Central: PMC420604DOI: 10.1128/iai.13.1.273-280.1976Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

Summary

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The research paper focuses on studying the ultrastructure of Ehrlichia equi, the causative agent of equine ehrlichiosis, in equine leukocytes. It details how the organisms appear in the cytoplasmic vacuoles of certain white blood cells and describes their physical characteristics, variability in size, and correlation to other species in the Ehrlichia genus.

Study on Ehrlichia Equi

  • This research paper investigates the etiological agent Ehrlichia equi of equine ehrlichiosis. Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease of horses that can lead to severe clinical signs, including high fever, depression, anorexia, and thrombocytopenia.
  • The study focuses on conducting a detailed observation of the ultrastructure of Ehrlichia equi in equine peripheral leukocytes, a type of white blood cell.

Organisms in Leukocytes

  • The organisms were found within membrane-lined vacuoles present in the cytoplasm of neutrophils and eosinophils – types of granulocytes, which are a type of white blood cell integral to the immune system.
  • Ovoid, round, and rod-shaped profiles of the organisms were observed within these vacuoles. In a thin-section profile of a cytoplasmic vacuole, there were found to be from 1 to 33 organisms present.
  • A significant finding was that many of the studied cells contained multiple vacuoles, each housing the Ehrlichia equi organisms.

Morphology of the Organisms

  • The Ehrlichia equi organisms have a distinct cell wall and plasma membrane. Within this formation, electron-dense and lucid areas were observed, showcasing the internal composition of these organisms.
  • There was a substantial variation in the size of these organisms observed. Despite this variation, the overall morphology was found to be most consistent with other agents of the genus Ehrlichia.

Cite This Article

APA
Sells DM, Hildebrandt PK, Lewis GE, Nyindo MB, Ristic M. (1976). Ultrastructural observations on Ehrlichia equi organisms in equine granulocytes. Infect Immun, 13(1), 273-280. https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.13.1.273-280.1976

Publication

ISSN: 0019-9567
NlmUniqueID: 0246127
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Pages: 273-280

Researcher Affiliations

Sells, D M
    Hildebrandt, P K
      Lewis, G E
        Nyindo, M B
          Ristic, M

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Ehrlichia / ultrastructure
            • Eosinophils / ultrastructure
            • Granulocytes / ultrastructure
            • Horses
            • Leukocytes / ultrastructure
            • Neutrophils / ultrastructure
            • Rickettsiaceae / ultrastructure

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 4 times.
            1. Teodorowski O, Kalinowski M, Winiarczyk D, Janecki R, Winiarczyk S, Adaszek Ł. Molecular surveillance of tick-borne diseases affecting horses in Poland-Own observations.. Vet Med Sci 2021 Jul;7(4):1159-1165.
              doi: 10.1002/vms3.451pubmed: 33620135google scholar: lookup
            2. Tate CM, Howerth EW, Mead DG, Dugan VG, Luttrell MP, Sahora AI, Munderloh UG, Davidson WR, Yabsley MJ. Anaplasma odocoilei sp. nov. (family Anaplasmataceae) from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2013 Feb;4(1-2):110-9.
              doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.09.005pubmed: 23276749google scholar: lookup
            3. Dedonder SE, Cheng C, Willard LH, Boyle DL, Ganta RR. Transmission electron microscopy reveals distinct macrophage- and tick cell-specific morphological stages of Ehrlichia chaffeensis.. PLoS One 2012;7(5):e36749.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036749pubmed: 22615806google scholar: lookup
            4. Holland CJ, Ristic M, Huxsoll DL, Cole AI, Rapmund G. Adaptation of Ehrlichia sennetsu to canine blood monocytes: preliminary structural and serological studies with cell culture-derived Ehrlichia sennetsu.. Infect Immun 1985 May;48(2):366-71.
              doi: 10.1128/iai.48.2.366-371.1985pubmed: 2985504google scholar: lookup