Entamoeba Coli

Background
Entamoeba coli is one of many non-pathogenic protozoa found in humans[ CITATION Fen18 \l 1033 ]. It
is transmitted through fecal-oral contact, and the mature cyst can be found in contaminated water[ CITATION
Tan03 \l 1033 ]. Typically, these protozoa inhabit the large intestinal tract and can be identified in diagnostic stool
specimens[ CITATION Pin08 \l 1033 ]. It is essential to differentiate Entamoeba coli, a nonpathogenic protozoan,
from those that cause significant disease. The complete name of the protozoan is usually used to avoid confusion
with the bacterium Escherichia coli.

Morphology
Comparative Morphology
[CITATION Int10 \l 1033 ]
Amoeba-Cysts

Amoeba-Trophozoite
Life Cycle
Entamoeba coli are generally considered nonpathogenic and reside in the large intestine of the human host.
[ CITATION CDC15 \l 1033 ] Both cysts and trophozoites of these species are passed in stool and considered
diagnostic 1. Cysts are typically found in formed stool, whereas trophozoites are typically found in diarrheal stool[
CITATION CDC15 \l 1033 ]. Colonization of the nonpathogenic amebae occurs after ingestion of mature cysts in
fecally-contaminated food, water, or fomites 2. Excystation occurs in the small intestine and trophozoites are
released, which migrate to the large intestine. The trophozoites multiply by binary fission and produce cysts, and
both stages are passed in the feces 1. Because of the protection conferred by their cell walls, the cysts can survive
days to weeks in the external environment and are responsible for transmission. Trophozoites passed in the stool
are rapidly destroyed once outside the body, and if ingested would not survive exposure to the gastric
environment.

Entamoeba coli are a

monogenetic organism. Three
distinct morphological forms exist airing the life cycle-Trophozoite, Pre-cystic stage and Cystic stage.
Trophozoite of E. coli is about 20 to 30 in diameter with a range from 10 to 50. The parasite feeds upon
bacteria, vegetable cells and other fecal debris present in the large intestine[CITATION Mar67 \l 1033 ]. Dobell
(1938) reported that it may ingest R.B.C., occasionally. Then, trophozoites reproduces by binary fission.
Trophozoite changes into spherical uninucleate precystic stage. The precystic stage size ranges from 15 to 45 ц in
diameter. It is similar to trophozoite stage, except that it is non feeding stage and hence food inclusions are not
found in the endoplasm[ CITATION Fen18 \l 1033 ]. Precystic stage changes into cystic stage. The cysts are
spherical or avoid with size ranging from 10 to 33 µ in diameter. The cyst wall is thick. Immature cyst may have
one-two or four nuclei with eccentric kariyosome[ CITATION Tan03 \l 1033 ]. Occasionally, the cyst may bear
16 or even 32 nuclei[ CITATION Fot07 \l 1033 ]. Glycogen vacuoles and chromatid bodies are seen in the
endoplasm up to binucleate stage after that they are consumed. Matured cyst is the infective stage. Cyst formed in
the large intestine is discharged out о the host’s body through feces. The cysts survive for 3-4 months outside the
body of the host and are relatively more resistant to desiccation as compared to those of E. histolytica. The survive
rate of the cyst is about 46 per cent.
Reproduction
Entamoeba species, like most of the protozoans, reproduce by binary fission to form two daughter cells.
Trophozoites in the colon multiply by undergoing binary fission and slowly reduce in size to first transform into
the pre-cyst phase and then to the cyst phase. These cysts undergo mitosis until it becomes octonucleated or
occasionally developing 16 nuclei. Host feces release mature octonucleate cysts of Entamoeba coli. Trophozoites
found in the stool outside the body are rapidly destroyed, and if ingested, would not survive exposure to the gastric
environment[ CITATION CFC17 \l 1033 ].

Nutrition
The parasite feeds upon bacteria, vegetable cells and other faecal debris present in the large intestine with the help
of its pseudopods[ CITATION Sam20 \l 1033 ].

Pathogenesis
E. coli are mostly harmless parasites, and do not cause harm to the host. However, there have been cases
of internal bleeding. Usually, the cytoplasm of the E. coli "does not contain red blood cells, except in the rare case
of patients with intestinal hemorrhage" that leads to blood in the stools of these patients. This may lead to intestinal
lesions. Other problems that E. coli causes are usually result from having too many in the large intestine. For
example, large populations of E. coli may lead to "dyspepsia, hyperacidity, gastritis, and indigestion"; these are
common problems of most intestinal parasites[ CITATION Puj15 \l 1033 ].
It starts with the ingestion of mature cysts through contaminated food and water sources, typically via
fecal-oral contamination. The cyst is hard due to its strong cell wall and can survive up to weeks in an external
environment, and this quality allows it to survive the stomach's acidic environment. Cysts release trophozoites in
the small intestine forming daughter trophozoites that are minimally motile and migrate to the colon. Entamoeba
species, like most of the protozoans, reproduce by binary fission to form two daughter cells. Trophozoites in the
colon multiply by undergoing binary fission and slowly reduce in size to first transform into the pre-cyst phase and
then to the cyst phase[ CITATION Akh21 \l 1033 ]. These cysts undergo mitosis until it becomes octonucleated or
occasionally developing 16 nuclei. Host feces release mature octonucleate cysts of Entamoeba coli. Trophozoites
found in the stool outside the body are rapidly destroyed, and if ingested, would not survive exposure to the gastric
environment[ CITATION Akh21 \l 1033 ].
Although their serious consequences and harmful action of this parasite. In case of light infection, it’s
mostly asymptomatic, but in case of moderate and heavy infection it may cause, lower abdominal pain, diarrhea
or constipation, altering the mood, that alteration of the mood, must be linked to vitamin D deficiency, which
altering the behavior of the patient[ CITATION Moh18 \l 1033 ]. Cyst stage can either be detected in wet mount
and concentration techniques of fresh or preserved stool specimens. Both trophozoite and cyst regarded as
diagnostic stage, while trophozoite is responsible from the possible pathogenicity and cyst is responsible for the
spread of this parasite among the society (infective stage)[ CITATION Moh18 \l 1033 ].

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment is not indicated for Entamoeba coli infection[ CITATION CFC17 \l 1033 ] Supportive care
should be provided for patients, and proper hygiene should be maintained. An alternate source should be sought
for patients with symptoms.
For those with persistent symptoms and no other infection source, treatment can be initiated. In one study,
patients with gastrointestinal symptoms for many years with no other diagnosis were found to consistently had
Entamoeba coli in the stool and were treated with diloxanide furoate 500 milligrams three times daily for ten days.
[ CITATION Wah91 \l 1033 ] After treatment, symptoms were resolved, and the stool was tested again with no
signs of Entamoeba coli infection. Metronidazole 400 mg orally three times a day is also effective. Patients
typically stop developing symptoms within five days.

References
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