active feeding stage of protozoa
Trophozoite
survival stage of protozoa, organelles double
Cyst
always use for ID confirmation
Trichrome Stain
Pathogenic flagellate protozoa, known as “Traveler’s diarrhea” found worldwide
-Ingest infective cyst from contaminated food, drink, breakdown in sanitation
-Excyst in duodenum
-Trophs attach to large intestine
-Encystment in large intestine
-Diagnosed using Trichrome stains, O&Px3, up to 3 stools may be required, looking for cysts!
-Ingest infective cyst from contaminated food, drink, breakdown in sanitation
-Excyst in duodenum
-Trophs attach to large intestine
-Encystment in large intestine
-Diagnosed using Trichrome stains, O&Px3, up to 3 stools may be required, looking for cysts!
Giardia lamblia
Pear/teardrop shape.
4 pair of flagella.
2 nuclei, 2 median bodies, 2 axonemes.
1 sucking disk.
4 pair of flagella.
2 nuclei, 2 median bodies, 2 axonemes.
1 sucking disk.
Giardia lamblia (Trophozoite Diagram)
Giardia lamblia Trophozoite
2-4 nuclei. Central karosome.
No peripheral cromatin.
2-4 median bodies.
interior flagella structures.
No peripheral cromatin.
2-4 median bodies.
interior flagella structures.
Giardia lamblia (Cyst Diagram)
Giardia lamblia Cyst
Pathogenic Flagellate Protozoa
-No Cyst stage
-Diagnosed by “Twitchy/jerking motility” if kept warm
-Difficult to recognize on a permanent stain
-Troph in tissue and secretions
-Males asymptomatic
-No Cyst stage
-Diagnosed by “Twitchy/jerking motility” if kept warm
-Difficult to recognize on a permanent stain
-Troph in tissue and secretions
-Males asymptomatic
Trichomonas vaginalis
1 ovoid nucleus.
3-5 anterior flagella.
1 posterior flagella.
Undulating membrane down 1/2 of body.
Prominent axostyle extends beyond the body.
3-5 anterior flagella.
1 posterior flagella.
Undulating membrane down 1/2 of body.
Prominent axostyle extends beyond the body.
Trichomonas vaginalis (Trophozoite Diagram)
Trichomonas vaginalis Trophozoite
Non-pathogenic Flagellate Protozoan, found worldwide
-No Cyst stage
-Motile is fresh stools
-Difficult to stain
-Oral-fecal transmission, treatment not recommended
-No Cyst stage
-Motile is fresh stools
-Difficult to stain
-Oral-fecal transmission, treatment not recommended
Trichomonas hominis
Similar to T. vaginalis but undulating membrane extends to the full body length.
Trichomonas hominis (Trophozoite Diagram)
Non-pathogenic Flagellate Protozoa
-lives in cecal region of large intestine
-fecal-oral transmission
-looks like yeast
-“Pear Shaped”
-lives in cecal region of large intestine
-fecal-oral transmission
-looks like yeast
-“Pear Shaped”
Chilomastix mesnili
1 nucleus at extreme anterior end.
3 anterior flagella.
1 posterior flagella.
Large cytosome with fibrils. (kissy lips)
Spiral groove, curved posture.
Twirling motility.
3 anterior flagella.
1 posterior flagella.
Large cytosome with fibrils. (kissy lips)
Spiral groove, curved posture.
Twirling motility.
Chilomastix mesnili (Trophozoite Diagram)
Chilomastix mesnili Trophozoite
“Lemon shaped with a hook”.
Clear know on anterior end.
1 nucleus w/large central karysome.
Prominent cytosome.
Clear know on anterior end.
1 nucleus w/large central karysome.
Prominent cytosome.
Chilomastix mesnili (Cyst Diagram)
Chilomastix mesnili Cyst
Pathogenic Ciliate Protozoa
-Causes Dysentary with persistent diarrhea beforehand
-Can’t function w/o macronucleus, “kidney bean-shaped”
-Wet preps are best for viewing, can be confused with helmenth egg
-Domestic hogs are reservoir in Subtropics/Tropics
-Ingestion of infective cysts in food, water
-Causes Dysentary with persistent diarrhea beforehand
-Can’t function w/o macronucleus, “kidney bean-shaped”
-Wet preps are best for viewing, can be confused with helmenth egg
-Domestic hogs are reservoir in Subtropics/Tropics
-Ingestion of infective cysts in food, water
Balantidium coli
Kidney-shaped macronucleus.
Small, spherical micronucleus.
Vacuoles, ingested bacteria.
Cytosomal groove.
Cilia around organism.
Small, spherical micronucleus.
Vacuoles, ingested bacteria.
Cytosomal groove.
Cilia around organism.
Balantidium coli (Trophozoite Diagram)
Balantidium coli Trophozoite
Kidney-shaped macronucleus.
Small, spherical micronucleus.
Contractile vacuole.
Cilia inside cyst wall.
Small, spherical micronucleus.
Contractile vacuole.
Cilia inside cyst wall.
Balantidium coli (Cyst Diagram)
Balantidium coli Cyst
-The combination of DNA and proteins that make up the contents of the nucleus of a cell.
-Stains red/Purple
-Stains red/Purple
Chromatin
Wavy outerlayer
Peripheral Chromatin
Chromatin material inside cell nucleus (separate piece in center)
Karyosome
Worldwide Pathogenic Amoeba
Amoebic Lifecycle:
-Asymptomatic=Passing cysts, Negative for Occult Blood, cysts survive in cold
-Morphologically identical to E. hartman (which is smaller)
-Oral-Fecal Transmission
Amoebic Lifecycle:
-Asymptomatic=Passing cysts, Negative for Occult Blood, cysts survive in cold
-Morphologically identical to E. hartman (which is smaller)
-Oral-Fecal Transmission
Histolytica=pathogenic
Dyspar=non-pathogenic
-Ingested RBCs give away diagnosis
-Max 4 nuclei
-Mucosal penetration, ulcers in cecum, appendix, spread to brain, lung, liver, much Dysentary
-MUST use permanent stain to confirm ID, negative on Occult Blood
-Cysts survive longer in Cold=28-34C
-Have peripheral chromatin and karyosome
Entamoeba histolytica & E. dyspar
Central karyosome.
Even peripheral chromatin.
Even peripheral chromatin.
Entamoeba histolytica Nuclear morphology
Central karyosome.
Even peripheral chromatin.
Ingested RBC’s.
Pseudopod movement.
Even peripheral chromatin.
Ingested RBC’s.
Pseudopod movement.
Entamoeba histolytica (Trophozoite Diagram)
Entamoeba histolytica Trophozoite
Entamoeba histolytica Trophozoite with RBCs
1-4 nuclei with central karyosome.
Even peripheral chromatin.
Chromatoid bar with rounded ends.
Even peripheral chromatin.
Chromatoid bar with rounded ends.
Entamoeba histolytica (Cyst Diagram)
Entamoeba histolytica Cyst
NonPathogenic Amoeba
-Oral-Fecal transmission
-No treatment recommended
-Amoebic Lifecycle, E. histolytica=larger
-Diagnoses on Permanent stain with NO ingested RBCs
-Oral-Fecal transmission
-No treatment recommended
-Amoebic Lifecycle, E. histolytica=larger
-Diagnoses on Permanent stain with NO ingested RBCs
Entamoeba hartmanni
tiny, centered, even peripheral chromatin.
Entamoeba hartmanni Nuclear morphology
1 nucleus. Tiny, centered karysome.
Even peripheral chromatin.
Ingest bacteria.
Pseudopod movement.
Even peripheral chromatin.
Ingest bacteria.
Pseudopod movement.
Entamoeba hartmanni (Trophozoite Diagram)
Entamoeba hartmanni Trohpozoite
1-4 nuclei. Small, central karysome.
Diffuse glycogen mass.
Diffuse glycogen mass.
Entamoeba hartmanni (Cyst Diagram)
Entamoeba hartmanni Cyst
Notice Size Difference in Trophozoites, Which is which?
L=Entamoeba histolytica
R=Entamoeba hartmanni
R=Entamoeba hartmanni
Worldwide NonPathogenic Amoeba
-Amoebic Lifecycle
-Mature cysts most diagnostic on permanent stains, NO ingestion of RBCs
-Oral-Fecal transmission
-Off center karyosome, random peripheral chromatin, >4 nuclei
-Amoebic Lifecycle
-Mature cysts most diagnostic on permanent stains, NO ingestion of RBCs
-Oral-Fecal transmission
-Off center karyosome, random peripheral chromatin, >4 nuclei
Entamoeba coli
round, off center
Entamoeba coli Nuclear morphology
1 nucleus. Eccentric karysome.
Uneven peripheral chromatin.
Pseudopod movement.
Ingested bacteria & other debris.
Uneven peripheral chromatin.
Pseudopod movement.
Ingested bacteria & other debris.
Entamoeba coli (Trophozoite Diagram)
Entamoeba coli Trophozoite
1-8 nuclei. Eccentric karysome.
Uneven peripheral chromatin.
Chromatoid bars w/splintered ends.
Uneven peripheral chromatin.
Chromatoid bars w/splintered ends.
Entamoeba coli (Cyst Diagram)
Entamoeba coli Cyst
Worldwide NonPathogenic Amoeba
-Like warm, moist regions
-Amoebic Lifecycle
-If using iodine wet prep instead of trichrome stain, you won’t be able to see nucleus
-Have 4 nuclei with blot-like karyosome
-Like warm, moist regions
-Amoebic Lifecycle
-If using iodine wet prep instead of trichrome stain, you won’t be able to see nucleus
-Have 4 nuclei with blot-like karyosome
Endolomax nana
blotchy
Endolomax nana nuclear morphology:
1 nucleus. “Blot-like” central karysome.
NO peripheral chromatin.
Vacuoles (may contain bacteria).
Pseudopod movement.
NO peripheral chromatin.
Vacuoles (may contain bacteria).
Pseudopod movement.
Endolomax nana (Trophozoite Diagram)
Endolomax nana Trophozoite
1-4 nuclei. “Blot-like” central karysome.
NO peripheral chromatin.
NO peripheral chromatin.
Endolomax nana (Cyst Diagram)
Endolomax nana Cyst
Worldwide NonPathogenic Amoeba
-Likes tropics
-Likes tropics
Iodamoeba butschlii
Large!
Iodamoeba butschlii Nuclear morphology
1 nucleus. Large, central karysome.
NO peripheral chromatin.
Vacuoles, ingested bacteria, yeast, debris.
NO peripheral chromatin.
Vacuoles, ingested bacteria, yeast, debris.
Iodamoeba butschlii (Trophozoite Diagram)
Iodamoeba butschlii Trophozoite
1 nucleus. Large, central karysome.
NO peripheral chromatin.
*Well-defined glycogen mass.
NO peripheral chromatin.
*Well-defined glycogen mass.
Iodamoeba butschlii (Cyst Diagram)
Notice the Glycogen Vacuole!
Iodamoeba butschlii Cyst
Amoeba, Sometimes Pathogenic, when numerous
-Usually commensile
-Oral-Fecal Transmission
-Symptoms: diarrhea, cramps, nausea, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain
-Seen in Vacoulated Form, but also exists as granulated form, amoebic form, and cyst form.
-Usually commensile
-Oral-Fecal Transmission
-Symptoms: diarrhea, cramps, nausea, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain
-Seen in Vacoulated Form, but also exists as granulated form, amoebic form, and cyst form.
Blastocystis hominis
Large central vacuole body.
Cytoplasm ring around periphery of organism.
2-4 nuclei located in cytoplasm around the vacuole.
Cytoplasm ring around periphery of organism.
2-4 nuclei located in cytoplasm around the vacuole.
Blastocystis hominis (Vacoulated Form Diagram)
Blastocystis hominis Vacuolated Form
Blastocystis hominis (“Dividing”)
Worldwide Pathogenic Flagellate
-FLAGELLATE
-No cyst stage!!
-Asymptomatic carrier state, then diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood/mucus in stool, gas nausea, vomiting, weight loss, fatigue
-Diagnosis made on Permanent Stains with multiple specimens
Possible association with helminth infections, transmitted via ova?
-Troph looks like “oval with eyes”
-FLAGELLATE
-No cyst stage!!
-Asymptomatic carrier state, then diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood/mucus in stool, gas nausea, vomiting, weight loss, fatigue
-Diagnosis made on Permanent Stains with multiple specimens
Possible association with helminth infections, transmitted via ova?
-Troph looks like “oval with eyes”
Dientamoeba fragilis
several dots
Dientamoeba fragilis Nuclear morphology
2 nuclei w/ massed clumps of of chromatin granules.
NO peripheral chromatin.
Bacteria-filled vacuoles.
NO peripheral chromatin.
Bacteria-filled vacuoles.
Dientamoeba fragilis (Trophozoite Diagram)
Dientamoeba fragilis Trophozoite
-Infect intestinal mucosa
-Cause diarrheal illness in humans
-Oocysts are diagnostic stage and are spore-like in the fact that they are resistant
-Sporozoites start inside Oocyst
-Cause diarrheal illness in humans
-Oocysts are diagnostic stage and are spore-like in the fact that they are resistant
-Sporozoites start inside Oocyst
Sporozoa
Pathogenic Sporozoa
-From “Baby Cows”
-Causes Cryptosporidiosis
-Systemic spread with immunocompromised, life threatening with HIV+
-Significant morbidity and mortality
-Look like yeasts, Use modified ACID FAST STAINS->AF=pink
-Fecal-Oral water/food Transmission
-Biggest outbreak in US, in Milwaukee in ’92, water treatment plant from river
-Stages:
Schizonts, Merozoites, Gametocytes, Oocysts, Sporozoites
-From “Baby Cows”
-Causes Cryptosporidiosis
-Systemic spread with immunocompromised, life threatening with HIV+
-Significant morbidity and mortality
-Look like yeasts, Use modified ACID FAST STAINS->AF=pink
-Fecal-Oral water/food Transmission
-Biggest outbreak in US, in Milwaukee in ’92, water treatment plant from river
-Stages:
Schizonts, Merozoites, Gametocytes, Oocysts, Sporozoites
Cryptosporidium parvum
Cryptosporidium (Diagram)
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium stained
Pathogenic
-Larger than parvum, longer duration, and more sever effects
-Diagnosed on wet preps, modified ACID FAST STAIN
-Looks like “Perfectly Round,” “Cut Glass”/”Nut Bowl” using trichrome stain, doesn’t stain Oocyst
-Autofluorescent!
-Fecal-OralTransmission
-Larger than parvum, longer duration, and more sever effects
-Diagnosed on wet preps, modified ACID FAST STAIN
-Looks like “Perfectly Round,” “Cut Glass”/”Nut Bowl” using trichrome stain, doesn’t stain Oocyst
-Autofluorescent!
-Fecal-OralTransmission
Cyclospora
Cyclospora
Cyclospora cayetanensis stained
Pathogenic
-No intermediate hosts, Humans are DEFINITIVE host!
-Use modified ACID FAST STAIN
-Transmission from contaminated food/water, Sexual transmission!!
Stages:
Oocysts, Sporoblasts, Sporocysts, Sporoxoites
-No intermediate hosts, Humans are DEFINITIVE host!
-Use modified ACID FAST STAIN
-Transmission from contaminated food/water, Sexual transmission!!
Stages:
Oocysts, Sporoblasts, Sporocysts, Sporoxoites
Cystoisospora belli
1-2 immature sporocysts (sporoblasts).
Cystoisospora belli (Diagram)
Cystoisospora belli
Cystoisospora belli stained
Pathogenic
-Causes Toxoplasmosis, AKA: Cat Scratch Disease
-MOST SUCCESSFUL Human parasite
-Serologic testing, during preganancy, can cross placenta, part of TORCH titer
-Transmission=ingest oocysts
-Many intermediate hosts
-Cats are definitive hosts
-Mimics Mono
Stages:
Tachyzoites, Bradyzoites, Oocysts
-Causes Toxoplasmosis, AKA: Cat Scratch Disease
-MOST SUCCESSFUL Human parasite
-Serologic testing, during preganancy, can cross placenta, part of TORCH titer
-Transmission=ingest oocysts
-Many intermediate hosts
-Cats are definitive hosts
-Mimics Mono
Stages:
Tachyzoites, Bradyzoites, Oocysts
Toxoplasma gondii
Toxoplasma gondii (Diagram)
-Metabolically reduced specialized fungi, mostly in insects
-Obligate, intracellular, spore-forming protists
-7 genera infect humans, Enterocytozoon bienuesi
-Mainly in immunocompromised
-Trichrome, Giemsa stains
-Obligate, intracellular, spore-forming protists
-7 genera infect humans, Enterocytozoon bienuesi
-Mainly in immunocompromised
-Trichrome, Giemsa stains
Microsporidia
Microsporidia