Protozoa Flashcards
(100 cards)
Cytoplasm contains
Ultramicrospcopic organelles
Protozoan nuclei:
Macronucelus
Micronuclues
Long hair-like structures; characteristic of mastigophorans
Flagella
Short hair-like structures; surrounds the organism, often in rows
Cilia
Common life stage:
Trophozoit
Cyst
Dormant stages, produced by many of the protozoans
Capable of protection: During adverse environmental conditions
Generally non-feeding
Non-motile
Size: Usually smaller than trophozoites of the same species
Cyst
Metabolic stage
Active, vegetative; feeding
Capable of movement: Motility dependent on organelles
Size: Varied, ultramicroscopic to 1.0 mm
Shape: Varied, mostly subspherical; dependent upon cytoplasmic structure and organelles
Trophozoite
Cyst wall: Secreted scleroproteins (keratin-like or elastin-like albuminoids)
Glycogen vacuoles: Food storage vacuoles
Chromatoidal bodies: Composed of RNA-protein complex; crystalline; resemble viral particles; 0.3 to 1.0μm helical bodies; aggregate in crystalline array and become visible; serve as storage for Ribosomes
Cyst
Disease characteristics
Intestinal amebiasis
Non-dysenteric colitis
Amebic dysentery
Entamoeba histolytica
Tissue lysing enzymes: Cytolysins; proteolytic secretions
Ulceration: Penetration of the mucosal crypts; extension into submucosa forming FLASK-SHAPED lesions
Amebomas (amebic granulomas): Granulation tissues; tumors
Entamoeba histolytica
Collect three specimens: One every other day
Avoid contact with water or urine
Liquid stools: Examine within 30 minutes
Perform direct examination in physiological saline and Lugol’s iodine
Perform concentration technique
Lab ID:
Feces
Entamoeba histolytica
Charcot-Leyden crystals: Formed from the breakdown of eosinophilic blood cells; indication of bleeding or inflammation of the intestinal mucosa
Microspcopic examination
Entamoeba histolytica
Trophozoite form
Cytoplasm: Clean
Appearance: Finely granular
Inclusions: Occasional RBCs (in case of dysentery); few bacteria or debris in vacuoles
Lab ID:
Entamoeba histolytica
Nucleus:
Centrally located endosome
‘bulls eye’
Entamoeba histolytica
Worldwide distribution, but mostly in tropical areas with poor sanitation
Acquired through ingesting the quadrinucleate cyst on contaminated food or water.
Entamoeba histolytica
Causes amoebic dysentery. 10% extraintestinal invasion to liver, lungs, brain.
Entamoeba histolytica
Causes flask shaped ulcers
Entamoeba histolytica
Trophozoites often contain ingested RBCs (diagnostic), but need molecular testing to be sure.
Entamoeba histolytica
Often confused with Entamoeba histolytica
“Nonpathogenic”
Entamoeba Coli
Nucleus: Vesicular, dispersed type
Number: One
Peripheral chromatin: Coarse granules; irregular size and distribution
Karyosome: Small (larger than Entamoeba histolytica); usually eccentric
Entameoba coli
Cytoplasm
Appearance: Vacuolated, coarsely granular
Inclusions: Yeast (may include spores of Sphaerita), molds, bacteria, etc.
Motility: Sluggish; non-directional with blunt, poorly defined, pseudopodia
Entamoeba coli
Trophozoite form
Mature cysts of ___ ___ characteristically have eight nuclei, rarely 16.
Entamoeba coli
Nonpathogenic commensal.
Worldwide distribution
An indicator of poor hygiene.
Entamoeba coli
Cysts will have 5 or more nuclei with ECCENTRIC ENDOSOME
Entamoeba coli