Electron-microscopic study of the effect of various extractants on the morphology of Coxiella burnetii

Folia Microbiol (Praha). 1992;37(2):87-92. doi: 10.1007/BF02836610.

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the effect of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) at two different temperatures and the effect of a mixture of detergents (D) on Coxiella burnetii. Both TCA and D caused a large destruction of C. burnetii cells. In both cases complexes of high-molar-mass components from the outer membrane were extracted. In the D case not only proteins but a mixture with other high-molar-mass structures were released from the destroyed cells. By extraction of TCA, the antigenic complex composed of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), proteins and phospholipids was released. The effect of the D mixture on C. burnetii causes their complete destruction. The TCA causes a surface destruction of cells but it does not cause complete disintegration. The small-cell variants (SCV) in both cases were shown to be more stable compared to the large-cell variants (LCV).

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Coxiella burnetii / drug effects
  • Coxiella burnetii / immunology
  • Coxiella burnetii / ultrastructure*
  • Detergents / pharmacology*
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Solubility
  • Temperature
  • Trichloroacetic Acid / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Detergents
  • Trichloroacetic Acid