This week's case was generously donated by Dr. Richard Bradbury. The following were seen in a stool specimen from a middle-aged man with diarrhea. Preparations are a concentrated wet prep and trichrome stained permanent mount. Object measure 10-15 micrometers long. What is your identification?




Looks like a trophozoite stage of an amoeba. My guess is Entamoeba histolytica
ReplyDeleteThe shape and size are compatible with cyst and trophozoites of Chilomastix mesnili. This organism is usually considered a commensal, as such I do not know its role in the diarrhea. Could it be something else?
ReplyDeleteE. histolytica/dispar? Would ask. /Patrik
ReplyDeleteLemon-shaped cysts (pic 1,2,4) with "shepherd's crook" (pic 1,2); karyosome more diffuse and eccentric, nuclear chromatin is not evenly arranged (DDx from E.histolytica); feeding groove in trophozoites (pic 3). Possibly C.mesnili cysts and trophozoites.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Chilomastix mesnili trophs and cysts
ReplyDeleteLemon shaped Chilomastix
ReplyDeleteChilomastix mesnili trophs and cysts
ReplyDeleteChilomastix mesnili
ReplyDeleteIt is Chylomastix mesnili cyst (lemon shape morphology) and the trophozoit
ReplyDelete