Ultracellular changes in cryptococcus at non-permissive temperature

ABSTRACT

Actively growing cultures of Cryptococcus diffluens at 27°C were shifted to 37°C at early logarithmic phase. Ultrathin section of theses cells were examined by electron microscopy at different intervals. Within a few hours cells showed swelling of mitochondria and accumulation of fat like vacuoles. Twelve hours later changes in cell membrane were seen, followed by lamellated structures filling intracellular space with many dense particles. More drastic changes were noted 48 hrs after the shift, such as discontinuity of the plasma membrance and loss of cell contents