promastigote, a. and n. Zool.
(prəʊˈmæstɪgəʊt)
[erron. f. Gr. πρό (? taken as opp. Gr. α-, in amastigote) + µαστιγ-, µάστιξ whip (used to render flagellum) + -ωτης (see -ot2 and -ote).]
(Applied to) the flagellated form assumed by parasitic protozoans of the genus Leishmania when carried by arthropods.
| 1971 Jrnl. Parasitol. LVII. 626/2 Promastigote (leptomonad) flagellates..were from 2 strains [of Leishmania hertigi]... Body width frequently tapering rather abruptly.., similar to some promastigotes of L. adleri. 1974 Nature 7 June 588/1 Examination of the promastigotes of L. hertigi immediately revealed cytoplasmic inclusions of a type which had not been observed in any of our previous studies. 1976 Ibid. 19 Aug. 689/1 We present evidence that transformation from the mammalian (amastigote) stage of L. donovani to the insect and/or culture (promastigote) stage is inhibited by host hamster spleen homogenates. |