Department of Zoology, OUSL
Only ciliate that is pathogenic to human Largest protozoan parasite in human Habitat in human: Large intestine – caecum and colon Normally parasitic in pigs Trophozoites detected in faeces of infected human Diagnostic Features Size: 40-50 mm (range 50-70 µm or more) Shape: oval Longitudinal rows of cilia cover whole body 01 large kidney shaped […]
Cyst is the infective stage to human Cysts detected in faecal specimens of infected human Diagnostic Features Shape: Spherical Size: 15 – 25 mm (range 10 to 35 µm) – larger than histolytica Nuclei: Contains up to 8 nuclei (usually >4 visible; need to change fine focus to see nuclei in different planes) Large, eccentric […]
Common non-pathogenic commensal of human Habitat in human: Large intestines Trophozoites detected in faecal specimens of infected human Diagnostic Features Live parasites show sluggish movements Size: 20 – 25 µm (range 15 to 50 µm) – larger than E. histolytica Shape: Irregular with blunt pseudopodia Nucleus: One nucleus; Peripheral chromatin granules: irregularly distributed & coarse […]
Cyst is the infective stage to human Cysts detected in faecal specimens of infected human Diagnostic Features Shape: Spherical Size: 12 – 15 mm (range 10 – 20µm) Nuclei: Mature cyst contains 4 nuclei; Centrally located small karyosome in nucleus; Peripheral chromatin is fine and uniformly distributed Chromatoid bodies with bluntly rounded ends may be […]