amoeba

Introduction

Three genera of amoebae infest the intestinal tract of humans. Entamoeba, Endolimax & Iodamoeba. The life cycles of the amoebae are similar except for Endolimax gingivalis, which has no cyst stage. Entamoeba histolytica is the only amoebic species capable of invading tissues & causing disease. Life cycle:

• cysts are ingested & transform into trophozoites in the intestine
• trophozoites proliferate by binary fission in the colon
• both cysts & trophozoites may be passed in the feces
• only mature cysts are infective

More general terms

• sarcodina

More specific terms

• Acanthamoeba
• Balamuthia
• Blastocystis
• Endolimax
• Entamoeba
• Iodamoeba
• Naegleria

Additional terms

• amebiasis
• amebicide