The occurrence and ultrastructure of Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) lewisi (Kent, 1880) Laveran and Mesnil, 1901, the parasite of rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Poland.

Abstract

This study reports the light and electron microscopic examination of Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) lewisi (Kent, 1880) Laveran and Mesnil, 1901, isolated from rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Poland. Bloodstream trypomastigotes were identified morphometrically from 100 specimens collected from three naturally infected rats Rattus norvegicus. Body length ranged from 15.45-23.64 microm and width from 1.3-2.32 microm while the free flagellum was 8.1 microm long. Electron microscopic study of bloodstream trypomastigotes exhibited typical ultrastructural features similar to those of other stercorarian trypanosomes. The presently determined morphological data have been compared with those provided by other authors.