Confocal images of infected chicken blood cells stained with anti-red blood cell antibodies.

<p>Anti-RBC, images stained with rabbit anti-chicken red blood cell antibody 103–4139; DIC, differential interference contrast images; Hoechst, Hoechst dye staining of nuclei (DNA); Merged, merged images of anti-RBC, DIC, and DAPI. (A-H) Two cells infected with <i>L</i>. <i>sabrazesi</i> gametocytes have some red dots (yellow arrowheads) that appear to be within the cytoplasm of the host cells. (E-H) A strongly stained white cell (grey arrowheads) that has two nuclei and rough granules in the cytoplasm, suggesting heterophils, monocytes, macrophages, or eosinophils. (I-L) A small cell that has a round nucleus and red dots similar (green arrowheads) to those seen in the infected cells. The small size of the cell suggests that it is likely a thrombocyte. The red ruler in each image indicates 10 μm.