amoeba

Three genera of amoebae infest the intestinal tract of humans. Entamoeba, Endolimax & Iodamoeba. The life cycles of the amoebae are similar except for Endolimax gingivalis, which has no cyst stage. Entamoeba histolytica is the only amoebic species capable of invading tissues & causing disease. Life cycle: 1) cysts are ingested & transform into trophozoites in the intestine 2) trophozoites proliferate by binary fission in the colon 3) both cysts & trophozoites may be passed in the feces 4) only mature cysts are infective

Related

amebiasis amebicide

Specific

Acanthamoeba Balamuthia Blastocystis Endolimax Entamoeba Iodamoeba Naegleria

Properties

KINGDOM: animal PHYLUM: protozoa

References

Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods, 19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 1270