Biomaterial Database

Observations by light microscopy on the cytopathogenicity of Naegleria fowleri in mouse embryo-cell cultures. 1978

T Brown

Naegleria fowleri, strain HB-1, caused a destructive cytopathic effect (CPE) in secondary mouse-embryo (ME) cells. No evidence was found to suggest that cell-free cytotoxic factors secreted by the amoebae play a part in ME-cell destruction. In culture systems designed for the study of cytopathic factors, mammalian-cell damage seemed to occur only as a result of direct contact with active amoebae. This was confirmed when the progressive destruction of individual ME cells was observed continuously by direct microscopy and time-lapse cinemicrography. The cytoplasmic shrinkage characteristic of naegleria-induced CPE appeared to be associated with phagocytic activity of trophozoites. Adjacent ME cells remained undamaged until they themselves were physically attacked. The apparently intracellular location of amoebae seen in fixed and stained preparations was considered to be an artefact created when trophozoites and ME cells were superimposed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010587	Phagocytosis	The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES).	Phagocytoses
D002467	Cell Nucleus	Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D003593	Cytoplasm	The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990)	Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D003603	Cytotoxins	Substances that are toxic to cells; they may be involved in immunity or may be contained in venoms. These are distinguished from CYTOSTATIC AGENTS in degree of effect. Some of them are used as CYTOTOXIC ANTIBIOTICS. The mechanism of action of many of these are as ALKYLATING AGENTS or MITOSIS MODULATORS.	Cytolysins,Cytotoxic Agent,Cytotoxic Agents,Cytotoxin,Agent, Cytotoxic
D000656	Amoeba	A genus of ameboid protozoa. Characteristics include a vesicular nucleus and the formation of several PSEUDOPODIA, one of which is dominant at a given time. Reproduction occurs asexually by binary fission.	Ameba