Monday, July 16, 2012

Answer to Case 216

Answer:  Giardia intestinalis (a.k.a. G. lamblia, G. duodenalis)

Even though the morphology is a little indistinct in these histologic sections, the classic shape of the trophozoites can be identified.  In some examples, the 2 nuclei and ventral sucking disk can also be seen (with a little imagination!).  The nice thing about histologic sections is that you also get the opportunity to see the trophozoites from the lateral view and realize how flat they actually are.  I tell my students that the curved thin shape of the trophozoites from the lateral view allows me to better understand their "falling leave motility."



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