Endolimax nana

• is the smallest of the intestine-

dwelling amoebae infecting humans
• Epidemiology: Cosmopolitan
• Prevalence: as high as 30% in some
populations
• can cause confusion with E.
histolytica and E. hartmanni in
unstained preparations due to their
similar size in cysts with 4 nuclei
• Usually a commensal, seen in stool
specimens in patients with HIV/AIDS
 Endolimax nana
Life Cycle
• A Habitat: large intestine of the human
host
• 1 Diagnostic: Cysts and trophozoites are
passed in stool
• 2 Route of Transmission: Ingestion of
mature cysts (Fecal-Oral)
• 3 Excystation: in the small intestine =
release of trophozoites
• 1 The trophozoites multiply by binary
fission and produce cysts
• Both stages are passed in the feces.
 E. nana trophozoites
• Trophozoites: diarrheal stool
• Trophozoites passed in stool are
rapidly destroyed once outside
the body, and if ingested would
not survive exposure to the
gastric environment
• Trophozoites: 8-10um, 1 nucleus
• Motility: Sluggish
• Cytoplasmic inclusions: Bacteria,
small vegetable cells and
crystals, No red blood cells
 Endolimax nana cyst
• Cysts: formed stool
• 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.
• Cysts: 6-8um, 4 nuclei
• Infective Stage