amoeba table.jpeg

# Parasite Characteristics | Species | # of Nuclei (Trophozoite) | # of Nuclei (Cyst) | Infective Stage | Shape & Appearance | Disease | Size (Trophozoite) | Size (Cyst) | Diagnostic Stage | Life Cycle Notes | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Entamoeba histolytica | 1 | 1-4 | Cyst | Amor...

# Parasite Characteristics | Species | # of Nuclei (Trophozoite) | # of Nuclei (Cyst) | Infective Stage | Shape & Appearance | Disease | Size (Trophozoite) | Size (Cyst) | Diagnostic Stage | Life Cycle Notes | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Entamoeba histolytica | 1 | 1-4 | Cyst | Amorphous, moves with pseudopodia, may contain RBCs | Amebiasis (intestinal & extraintestinal) | 8-65 µm (avg. 12-25 µm) | 12-18 µm | Quadrinucleate cyst in feces | Cysts ingested → excyst in intestine → trophozoites invade tissue | | Entamoeba coli | 1 | Up to 8 | Cyst | Granular cytoplasm, coarser than E. histolytica | Non-pathogenic | 20-30 µm | 10-33 µm | Cyst in feces | Lives in the colon, feeds on bacteria, does not invade tissue | | Entamoeba hartmanni | 1 | Up to 4 | Cyst | Smaller than E. histolytica, similar morphology | Non-pathogenic |