Fig. 4

Transmission electron micrographs of Leishmania amazonensis intracellular amastigotes after treatment with the AgNP-PVP-MA nanocomposite (AgNP to 1 %, 0.1 g of PVP and 50 µg/mL of MA) for 24 h. The image shows the parasitophorous vacuole of an infected macrophage in control group (A). Amplification of image (A), showing amastigotes with typical morphology (B). A macrophage infected and treated with AgNP-PVP-MA, showing the presence of the nanocomposite in some regions [selected insets 1 and 2] (C). Amplification of inset 1 [image (C)]; presence of AgNP-PVP-MA (asterisks) in vesicles and close to the subpellicular microtubule was observed (D). Amplification of inset 2 [image (C)], with the presence of the nanocomposite (asterisks) inside the parasitophorous vacuole (E). The nanocomposite (asterisks) near the flagellar pocket, multivesicular bodies and close to the subpellicular microtubule (F). A macrophage infected with Leishmania amazonensis and treated with the reference drug AMB (positive control) at a concentration of 0.5 µg/mL, showing the absence of amastigotes [inset] (G). Amplification of the inset [image (G)], showing the presence of cellular debris inside the parasitophorous vacuole [asterisks] (H). N: Nucleus. M: Mitochondrion. F: Flagellum. FP: Flagellar pocket. MT: Subpellicular microtubule