Protozoans

Life cycle of protozoa

EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT - Cyst HOST ENVIRONMENT - Trophozoites
Inactive, non-motile, in formed stools and in Metabolically active, motile, within the
the environment; excystation occurs within host or free-living (in environment)
new host to cause infection; cyst wall is tough
and can resist desiccation for long periods
– locomotor organelles, condensed cytoplasms
Cyst Trophozoite
 Entamoeba histolytica

MOST INVASIVE of the Entamoeba

species
THE ONLY MEMBER of the family to
cause colitis and liver abscess.

capable of ERYTHROPHAGOCYTOSIS
Entamoeba histolytica
Entamoeba histolytica
LIFE CYCLE
Entamoeba histolytica
Diagnosis

Lab diagnosis of E. histolytica infection, unless confirmed by visualization of

ingested rbc in trophozoite should be substantiated by:
1. Presence of red blood cells in the stool
2. Serum antibody titer
3. Stool E. histolytica antigen titer
Diagnosis
1. Routine diagnosis
2. Antigen and antibody detection
3. Molecular diagnosis
4. Liver scans
5. Tissue examination
A harmless inhabitant of the colon.