Scanning electron microscopy of the conidia produced by the mycelial form of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Abstract

The conidia produced by the mycelial form of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were examined by scanning electron microscopy for the first time. Several different conidial types were characterized. These included intercalary arthroconidia, several types of septate conidia that are formed from other conidia, pedunculate conidia, and terminal hyphal conidia. In addition, the ultrastructure of the supporting pedestal of the pedunculate conidium was found to be separated from the mother conidium by a septum in some instances, and at other times it was not.

Los conidios producidos por la forma micelial de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis fueron examinados por microscopía electrónica de barrido por primera vez. Se caracterizaron varios tipos diferentes de conidios. Estos incluyeron artroconidios intercalares, varios tipos de conidios septados que se forman a partir de otros conidios, conidios pedunculados y conidios hifales terminales. Además, se encontró que la ultraestructura del pedestal de soporte del conidio pedunculado estaba separada del conidio madre por un tabique en algunos casos, y en otras ocasiones no lo estaba.