Retortamonas intestinalis

Introduction

Non-pathogenic intestinal flagellates, infrequently seen.

Laboratory

• trophozoites
  • measure 4-9 um in length, generally 6-7 um
  • pear or oval-shaped
  • jerking motility
  • one nucleus, generally not visible in unstained specimens
  • 1 anterior, 1 posterior flagella
  • prominent cytosome extending 1/2 the length of the body
• cysts
  • measure 4-9 um in length, generally 4-7 um
  • pear-shaped or slightly lemon shaped
  • 1 nucleus, not visible on unstained specimens

More general terms

• Enteromonas