Morphology of LEISHMANIA DONOVANI

1. Leshmanial form or Aflagellar stage or Amastigote stage –

i)                    Shape – Oval or round .

ii)                  Size – 2 to 4 μ along the long axis .

iii)                Nucleus – Oval or roun d .

iv)                Kinetoplast –

(a)    Rod like parabasal body

(b)    A  dot like blepharoplast .

v)                  Rhizoplast or Axoneme – A delicate filament  may be seen which extends from kin etoplast to margin of the body .

vi)                Cytoplasm  - Blue .

vii)              Vacuole – a clear unstained space .

2. Leptomonad form or Flagellar stage or promastigote stage –

i)                    Shape – spindle shaped

ii)                  Size – 10 to 12 μ in length and 1 to 2 μ in breadth .

iii)                Nucleus – Situated centrally .

iv)                Kinetoplast – Transversely situated near anterior end .

v)                  Eosinophilic vacuole – A light staining area .

vi)                Flagellum .