ULTRASTRUCTURAL AND CYTOCHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION OF PEROXISOMES IN BALANTIDIUM-COLI, CILIOPHORA

Peroxisomes of the trophozoites of Balantidium coli isolated from pig intestine content were investigated, using ultrastructural and cytoche mical techniques. The peroxisomes of B. coil trophozoites from pigs wi th subclinical balantidiasis are less then 0.8 mm in diameter whereas those from pigs with acute balantidiasis are greater than 0.8 mu m in diameter. In all the trophozoites peroxisomes are round, oval or dumb- bell shaped. Catalase as an indicative enzyme was detected by cytochem ical techniques in B. coli peroxisomes.