Parasitology: Amoebic Infections

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements about Balantidium coli is correct?

Its trophozoites are more likely to be found in formed stools.

Its cysts are more commonly found in diarrheal stools than trophozoites.

It can only infect the intestine and cause diarrhea.

It can invade organs such as the liver, lungs, and urogenital tract. (correct)

Which of the following techniques is used for the laboratory diagnosis of Balantidium coli infection?

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay

Stool examination for trophozoites and cysts (correct)

Serological testing for antibodies

Blood smear examination

Which of the following statements about Entamoeba histolytica is correct?

Sigmoidoscopy material can reveal the presence of Entamoeba histolytica organisms.

Its cysts are more likely to be found in diarrheal stools than trophozoites.

Its trophozoites can invade organs such as the liver and lungs. (correct)

It is a non-pathogenic protozoan that can cause intestinal amebiasis.

Which of the following statements about Entamoeba coli is correct?

It is a non-pathogenic protozoan that can be found in the human intestine. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most appropriate diagnostic approach for intestinal amebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica?

Stool examination for the presence of cysts and trophozoites. Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of Entamoeba histolytica's life cycle is responsible for transmitting the infection?

Cysts Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary symptom of intestinal amebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica?

Frequent, loose stools flecked with blood and mucus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following laboratory techniques is considered the method of choice for detecting Entamoeba histolytica in stool samples?

Stool examination using wet preparations and permanent staining techniques Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true about Entamoeba histolytica?

It is a non-pathogenic ameba commonly found in the human intestine Signup and view all the answers

If Entamoeba histolytica is suspected but not recovered from stool samples, which of the following laboratory tests may be utilized?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica cysts?

Contain a single nucleus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is not true about the trophozoite of Entamoeba coli?

Its cytoplasm often contains ingested red blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical range of nuclei found in Entamoeba coli cysts?

1 to 8 nuclei Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is not typically found in Entamoeba coli cysts?

Ingested red blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica in terms of pathogenicity?

E. coli is a commensal organism, while E. histolytica can cause invasive amebiasis. Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic technique is most reliable for differentiating Entamoeba coli from Entamoeba histolytica?

Molecular techniques like PCR Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the life cycle of Entamoeba coli is correct?

Its life cycle is similar to that of E. histolytica. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Balantidium coli

Chronic infections can cause a tender colon, anemia, cachexia, and alternating diarrhea and constipation.
Can invade areas other than the intestine, such as the liver, lungs, pleura, mesenteric nodes, and urogenital tract.
Laboratory diagnosis is done by examining stool specimens for trophozoites and cysts.
Stools from infected patients with diarrhea are more likely to contain B. coli trophozoites.
Suspicious formed stools may contain cysts.
Sigmoidoscopy material can also reveal B. coli organisms.
Trophzoites can migrate to other organs, such as the liver, causing abscess formation.
Cyst formation is complete when four nuclei are present.
Infective cysts are passed out into the environment in human feces and are resistant to physical conditions.
Survival in a feces contaminated environment for up to a month is common.

Amebiasis (Entamoeba histolytica)

Infection of the intestine or liver by an ameba, often Entamoeba histolytica.
Amebae are present in food or water that has had contact with infected feces.
Symptoms include frequent, loose stools flecked with blood and mucus.
Amebic abscess often accompanies amebic dysentery.
Laboratory diagnosis is done by stool examination for E. histolytica trophozoites and cysts.
Other laboratory tests include serological procedures, such as ELISA, and biopsy of abscess.

Entamoeba coli

Trophozoite has blunt pseudopods and exhibits sluggish, nonprogressive motility.
The single nucleus is easily recognizable.
The nuclear structures are enhanced when the trophozoites are stained.
Typical nucleus consists of a large, often irregularly shaped karyosome that is eccentrically located.
Vacuoles, often containing bacteria, are commonly seen in the coarsely granulated cytoplasm.
No red blood cell inclusions occur.
Cyst has a thick cell wall and is round to spherical in shape.
One to eight nuclei with typical nuclear features may be seen in unstained and stained preparations.
Occasionally, large cysts containing 16 or more nuclei may be present.
The granular cytoplasm may contain thin chromatoid bars.
The glycogen mass may displace the nuclei present to opposite ends of the cyst.
Life cycle is similar to E. histolytica.

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Description

Test your knowledge on amoebic infections and the life cycle of the parasite, including migration, encystation, and survival in the environment. Clinical symptoms and other important aspects may also be covered.