Entamoeba

Histolytica
 Morphology

Trophozoite Cyst
Trophozoite
Shape: Irregular
Size: 10-60 µm

Structures:
· Cytoplasm is grayish violet with a clear
demarcation between the ectoplasm and
endoplasm
· Endoplasm is briefly granular with ingested RBC
which are bluish-black in color
· Single, spherical nucleus; the nuclear membrane
is lined by fine, regularly arranged chromatin
granules; karyosome is relatively small and
centrally located
Cyst

Shape : spherical
Size: 5-10 µm

Structures:
·Smooth, definite, relatively thin cystic
wall
·Number of nuclei range from 1-4, rarely
more, with a centrally located karyosome
·In the younger cyst, the chromatoidal
bars with rounded ends and glycogen
mass may be present
Cyst

(I&H preparation)

·Cytoplasm is grayish violet, granular

·Nuclei are clearly seen with dark stained
central karyosome
·If present, the chromatoidal bars are
blue-black in color
If present, the glycogen mass is unstained
Cyst

(NSS preparation)

· Cyst wall is refractile and relatively thin

· Cytoplasm is colorless with a ground
glass appearance
· Nuclei are rarely visible, sometimes one
may appreciate the outline of the nucleus
· If present, the glycogen mass is a clear or
empty space in the cytoplasm
· If present, the chromaroidal bars are
refractile
Cyst

(Iodine preparation)

· The cytoplasm is greenish yellow

· Nuclei are clearly seen with central
karyosome
· If present, the chromatoidal bars are
refractile
· If present, the glycogen mass is dark
yellowish brown in color
 Diagnosis
Laboratory

Laboratory diagnostic methods for amoebiasis

are based on parasitological, immunological and
molecular techniques

Entamoeba histolytica must be differentiated from other intestinal

protozoa including: E. coli, E. hartmanni, E. gingivalis, Endolimax nana,
and Iodamoeba buetschlii (the nonpathogenic amebae); Dientamoeba
fragilis (which is a flagellate not an ameba); and the possibly pathogenic
Entamoeba polecki.
·Fresh stool: wet mounts and permanently stained
preparations (e.g., trichrome).
·Concentrates from fresh stool: wet mounts, with or
without iodine stain, and permanently stained
preparations (e.g., trichrome). Concentration
procedures, however, are not useful for demonstrating
trophozoites.