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| A:
Representative cellular and ultrastructural
features of cells before exposure to normal
human serum (control sample). Shown is an approximately
longitudinal section through a helically shaped Borrelia
cell (for further details see above: Krayczy P, Acker G,
Brade V: Erregereigenschaften. UNI-MED, Bremen 1998, pp.
16-23). Inset: Cross-section of such a spirochete; in the periplasmic space (Inset, arrowhead), bounded by the OM (outer membrane) and the CM (cytoplasmic membrane), nine cross-sectioned endoflagella can be recognized (dark dots beneath the OM). S slime-like cell surface layer of unknown composition and function (immunoelectron microscopy in combination with monoclonal antibodies is called for in order to study the nature and role(s) of such layers of serum-sensitive and -resistant B. burgdorferi strains, especially in relation to complement activation and consumption). |
B: Human serum (complement) is responsible for the severe structural damages illustrated here; seen are spheroplasts, cell fragments and cell debris of the serum-sensitive B. burgdorferi strain PKo. The normal helically cell form had completely disappeared under the bactericidal effect of normal human serum; in contrast, cells of the serum-resistant strain B31 remained morphologically intact after the same serum treatment (for details see above: Brade V., Kleber I., Acker G, 1992.; Krayczy P., Acker G., Brade V., 1998). |