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[Endolimax nana] [Entamoeba coli] [Entamoeba gingivalis] [Entamoeba hartmanni] [Entamoeba polecki] [Iodamoeba buetschlii]

Cysts of Iodamoeba buetschlii vary from being nearly spherical to ellipsoidal, and measure 5-20 µm.  Cysts contain a single nucleus that is not visible in either unstained or iodine-stained wet mounts.  With permanent stains (such as trichrome), the nucleus contains a large, usually eccentric karyosome.  Achromatic granules may or may not be present around the karyosome.  An important diagnostic feature for this species is the presence of a large compact mass (vacuole) of glycogen in the cyst stage.  Although this mass can be visible in unstained wet mounts, in iodine-stained preparations it takes on a darker, reddish-brown color.  The glycogen vacuole does not stain with trichrome, but will still be visible as a well-defined mass.

A	B

A, B: Cysts of I. buetschlii stained with trichrome.  In these specimens, both the nucleus and large glycogen vacuole are visible.

C	D

C, D: Cysts of I. buetschlii stained with trichrome.  In these specimens, both the nucleus and large glycogen vacuole (arrow, Figure C) are visible.