Ultrastructure of bacteria adhesion in cell membrane of young mouse lingual mucosa

Abstract

Lingual mucosa of young mouse was examined by transmission and high resolution scanning electron microscopic images (HRSEM). The specimens were fixed with modified Karnovsky solution and embedded in Spurr resin for transmission electron microscopy. Thin sections of 80 nm were cut and examined in the Jeol 1010 transmission electron microscope. For HRSEM method, the specimens were fixed in the same solution, postfixed in osmiun tetroxide, critical point dried and coated with palladium. The samples were examined under Hitachi S-900, SEM microscope. The results revealed groups of bacteria attached to the surface of keratinized epithelial cells. These streptococcus and coccus attached on the cell membrane were noted in the three-dimensional SEM images. At high magnification, the transmission electron microscopic images demonstrated the adhesion of bacteria to the cell membrane through numerous fimbria comprising the glycocalyx. The fine fibrillar structure rising from bacteria were clearly seen.