The fine structure of Leucocytozoon simondi. VI. Hepatic schizogony
Most of the maturing schizonts in hepatic parenchymal cells consist of large electron-dense, multinucleate cytomeres. These are bounded by a trilaminar plasma membrane and lie within membrane-bounded vacuoles in the host cytoplasm. Extensive invagination and multiple cleavage of the cytomeres culminate in the production of uninucleate merozoitcs. Each merozoite is bounded by a single trilaminar plasmalemma and contains a large central nucleus, a mitochondrion, electron-dense paired rhoptries, and several smaller micronemes. Occasionally a second type of schizont has been observed, in which many small parasite inclusions are scattered in the hepatocyte cytoplasm. Clearly defined differences are apparent between comparable stages of development of Leucocytozoon and the more closely related Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. These differences include the location of the schizont in their host cells, the formation of merozoitcs, and the nature of the membranes that invest the merozoites. On the basis of these differences it is proposed that the inclusion of Leucocytozoon spp. into a separate family is warranted.