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Case #280 - July, 2010

A 35-year-old woman went to her health care provider with complaints of abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea. She told her doctor that she had recently returned from a business trip to Mexico. Stool was collected in 10% formalin and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for routine ova-and-parasite (O&P) examination. Figures A–D show what was observed at 1000x magnification on a trichrome-stained slide made from the PVA-preserved stool. The objects of interest measured on average 15-17 micrometers in diameter. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?

Case280_A

Figure A

Case280_B

Figure B

Case280_C

Figure C

Case280_D

Figure D

Case Answer

This case showed cysts of Entamoeba coli, an intestinal amoeba generally considered nonpathogenic. Diagnostic morphologic features included:

  • cysts within the size range for E. coli (10-35 micrometers in diameter).
  • more than four nuclei per cyst (Figures B, C, and D).
  • nuclei containing coarse, clumped peripheral chromatin.

More on: Intestinal Amebae

Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.

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DPDx is an education resource designed for health professionals and laboratory scientists. For an overview including prevention and control visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/.

  • Page last reviewed: August 24, 2016
  • Page last updated: August 24, 2016
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