In papers published elsewhere (1-5) descriptions of the life cycles of two strains of non-pathogenic Treponema pallidum are given as they occur in culture and in the embryonated egg. In these studies the sequence of events was apparent from the study of cultures of successive ages, and in many instances sequences from one cell form to another in such processes as transverse division followed in single organisms. While recognizing the inherent danger of drawing analogies between different organisms and their basic biological processes, it still seemed justifiable to attempt to establish whether or not a sequence of events comparable to that observed in the saprophytic strains might not also occur in the pathogenic Treponema pallidum as it occurs in the syphilitic rabbit testis. In addition to the studies by the present authors, previous studies briefly summarized in one of the papers above mentioned further suggested the possibility that a complex life cycle also occurred in this organism. The purpose of the present paper is to present a series of observations made by means of phase contrast microscopy on preparations made from syphilitic rabbit testes. Interpretations of the structures observed are based, at least in part, upon the analogies which can be drawn between these organisms and the saprophytic forms, and also upon successive observations of the same preparations over periods of hours and even days. In these preparations definite changes in the organisms were observed to occur, and it now seems likely on the basis of work done since these initial observations were made, that these changes truly represent the proper sequence of events as they occur in the living testis as well as in cultures of the pathogenic spirochete.
Evidence for the occurrence of a complex life cycle in the pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of Treponema pallidum has been presented in previous reports of this series (1-6). The purpose of the present paper is to present observations of the pathogenic Treponema pallidum as it occurs in the rabbit testis visualized by means of a newly developed staining procedure.It was felt that if adequate staining methods could be evolved, a confirmatory check could be made on the observations obtained by means of phase contrast microscopy and a further degree of confirmation of the studies, particularly by Meirowsky (7) and later by Leipold(8), could be obtained. The series of observations presented here confirm in essence those presented in an accompanying paper of this series (6) which were obtained by means of the phase contrast microscope. Material and MetkodsMaterial for study was obtained from syphilitic testes of the same type as those used in the previous study. Preparations for observation were made by sectioning the testis, drying the cut surface of the tissue on blotting paper, and making thin impression smears on clean coverslips. These smears were then stained by the technique previously described (2), and were then studied by means of an ordinary research microscope. The spirochetes stain a deep purple and, where extraneous material in the background detes not interfere, the stained spirochetes stand out with sharp contrast. The use of blue-green and amber filters produces a jet black image which is optimal for photographic purposes. Photographs were made in the same manner as in past studies. The plates consist of composites of numberous photographic observations. OBSERVATIONSAs visualized by this staining procedure, the spirochetes stain a deep purple and the surrounding coagulated protein and blood and tissue cells of the smear
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