Entamoeba coli

Description of Entamoeba coli

The classification lineage of Entamoeba coli is as follows:
 Kingdom - Protoctista
 Phylum - Amoebazoa
 Class - Rhizopoda
 Order - Lobosa
 Family - Entamoebidae
 Genus - Entamoeba
 Species - coli
Entamoeba coli is a species of the Entamoeba that is non-pathogenic and lives in
the gastrointestinal tract of human. This makes it a commensal parasite
inside the human gut. Typically, it inhabits large intestinal tract and can be
identified in diagnostic stool specimen. It usually doesn’t move much by its
pseudopod making it greatly immobile. Entamoeba coli is transmitted
through fecal-oral contact (ingestion of faeces). Usually, mature cysts are
ingested from contaminated water and food sources. Generally, Entamoeba
coli has a global distribution with its highest prevalence being in areas and
regions that lack adequate sanitation. The complete name of the protozoan is
usually used to avoid confusion with the bacterium Escherichia coli which
unlike the Entamoeba coli is harmful. Entamoeba coli also has parasites
such as fungus sphaerita spp that lives in its cell cytoplasm.
The life cycle.
Entamoeba coli has three morphological stages namely:
 Trophozoite stage
 Pre-cyst stage
 Cystic stage
Trophozoite stage
At this stage, the trophozoite measures 20-25 µm and is minimally mobile. Its core
is usually oval in shape with nucleus surrounded by the thick membrane. Inside the
nucleus membrane are chromatin granules that surround the large eccentric and
irregular shaped karyosome. The cytoplasm has large vacuoles and is typically
granular with easily distinguishable ectoplasm and endoplasm. Entamoeba coli at
this stage produces short and blunt pseudopods which are projections from the
granular cytoplasm, used for mobility (limited) and ingestion of bacteria and
parasites through phagocytosis. This is therefore the feeding stage of the above
stated amoeba. When The trophozoite is closely observed under a microscope, red
blood cells, other bacteria and parasites can be found in it although the case of red
blood cells is so rare. Entamoeba coli can also swallow other organisms such as
Giadia lamblia which may compete for its food source. Trophozoites found in the
stool outside the body are rapidly destroyed and if ingested would not survive the
exposure to gastric environment as they lack a strong cell wall to withstand the
acidic environment. Majorly they’re found in semi-formed stool when released.
Pre-cyst stage
This stage begins when the trophozoite starts to slightly change its shape to
become more spherical. The nucleus divides into two nuclei. The cyst is typically
10-35 µm in diameter with a spherical shape. The cytoplasm is still granular but
the vacuoles are absent. At this bi-nucleate stage, the glycogen vacuole is formed.
It is at the end of this stage that encystment occurs.
Cyst stage
At this stage the two nuclei formed during the pre-cyst stage divide further to form
8 nuclei. At some rare cases the nuclei may divide further to form 16 or 32 nuclei.
It is this division that leads to formation of daughter trophozoites inside the cyst.
At this octo-nucleate cystic form, the glycogen vacuole is dissolved. This makes
the mature cyst to be rich in glycogen. A strong retractile wall is formed to enclose
the cyst and now with this wall, the cyst can survive even in the external
environment for weeks and it is also this quality that allows it to survive in the
stomach’s acidic environment. The cyst is released to the external environment by
the host through defecation. When ingested, the cyst moves down the gut to the
small intestines where it releases the daughter trophozoites leading to infection.
This now makes it the infectious stage.

Brief summary
When a mature cyst releases the trophozoites in the colon, the trophozoites
multiply by binary fission and slowly reduce in size to first transform into the pre-
cyst phase where it becomes bi-nucleated and later on into the cyst stage. The cyst
undergoes mitosis until it becomes octo-nucleated and later it is released by the
host to the external environment through defecation.

Diagnostics
Stool analysis is done to diagnose this Entamoeba coli. Its trophozoites can be
distinguished by their wide and tapered pseudopodia. Entamoeba coli cyst is
identified in stool analysis through checking size, shape and number of nuclei. It is
about 35 µm, irregular in shape, with a shell-like appearance that is more
uniformed than that of Entamoeba histolytica.
Scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy can also be
used. DNA extraction and PCR are too used in its diagnoses.
Pathology
If the Entamoeba coli occur in large numbers, they can result to:
 Dyspepsia- Upper abdominal discomfort.
 Hyperacidity- this is due to the imbalance of acid secreting mechanisms in
the body.
 Gastritis - this is the inflammation of the stomach lining.
 Indigestion.
Treatment
Since it is nonpathogenic, there is less need to treat it. A compounds used to treat
large population of Entamoeba coli is diloxanide furoate and it is usually used in
anti-amoebic therapy.

Control
Through hand hygiene and avoidance of contaminated food and drinks such as
water. Educating people through multiple professionals such as nursing stuff,
pharmacists and physicians is essential to reduce the chances of infection of
Entamoeba coli among people.