Image of Entamoeba coli

Description:

Magnified 100X, this direct mount, unstained photomicrograph revealed the presence of three cysts of the protozoan parasite, Entamoeba coli, as well as what appears to be a trophozoite. This is one intestinal parasite, which lives as a commensal organism, existing harmlessly in the human digestive tract. Of importance, is the fact that this organism can often be confused with its pathogenic counterpart, E. histolytica.
Created: 1972