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Intestinal Ameba
[Endolimax nana] [Entamoeba coli] [Entamoeba hartmanni] [Entamoeba polecki] [Iodamoeba buetschlii]

The trophozoites of Entamoeba coli measure usually 20 to 25 µm, but they can be elongated and reach up to 50 µm.  The trophozoites each have one nucleus with a characteristically large, eccentric karyosome and coarse, irregular peripheral chromatin.  The cytoplasm is coarse and vacuolated ("dirty" cytoplasm).

Line drawing of an E. coli trophozoite E. coli trophozoite stained with trichrome
A B

A: Line drawing of an E. coli trophozoite.
B: E. coli trophozoite stained with trichrome.  Occasionally the cytoplasm contains ingested bacteria (as seen in B), yeasts, or other materials.

E. coli trophozoite stained with trichrome E. coli trophozoite stained with trichrome
C D

C, D: E. coli trophozoites stained with trichrome.

E. coli trophozoite stained with trichrome E. coli trophozoite stained with trichrome
E F

E: An enlongated trophozoite of E. coli stained with trichrome.  The cytoplasm of this trophozoite is "dirty."
F: E. coli trophozoite, measuring over 30 µm.  Note the pseudopodia extending from the ameba.  Image contributed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

 
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