Trophozoites of E histolytica. Trichrome stain.

The trophozoites are elongated (up to 60 m in length), as they

tend to be in diarrheal stool. (In non diarrheal stool, they are more
rounded, and measure 15-20 m.) The nuclei show a centrally
placed karyosome with a uniformly distributed peripheral
chromatin.

A B
A, B: Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica with ingested erythrocytes (trichrome
stain). The ingested erythrocytes appear as dark inclusions. Erythrophagocytosis is
the only characteristic that can be used to differentiate morphologically E. histolytica
from the nonpathogenic E. dispar. In these specimens, the parasite nuclei have the
typical small, centrally located karyosome, and thin, uniform peripheral chromatin.
An immature cyst of Entamoeba histolytica. The single nucleus with its
central endosome and regularly distributed chromatin is visible. The
dark "rods" in the cytoplasm are the chromatoid bars; approximate size
= 18 m.
individual cysts from feces
Cyst of E. histolytica
Cysts of Entamoeba histolytica
A cyst of Entamoeba histolytica. This is a mature cyst and, therefore,
contains four nuclei. However, only two nuclei are clearly visible in this
plane of focus; approximate size = 18 m.
Cysts of E histolytica, stained with trichrome and iodine . The
nuclei have characteristically centrally located karyosomes.
The cyst contains a large chromatoid body.


A B C
A, B, C: Trophozoites of Entamoeba coli, line drawing (A) and trichrome stain (B and
C). The trophozoites each have one nucleus with characteristically a large, eccentric
karyosome and coarse, irregular peripheral chromatin. The cytoplasm is coarse and
vacuolated ("dirty" cytoplasm) as illustrated in C. Occasionally the cytoplasm contains
ingested bacteria (B), yeasts or other materials. The trophozoites of E. coli measure
usually 20 to 25 m, but they can be elongated (C) and reach up to 50 m.
Entamoeba coli trophozoite. The single nucleus with its eccentric
endosome and irregular chromatin is visible; approximate size = 24 m.


A B
A, B: Cysts of Entamoeba coli, line drawing (A), wet mount in iodine (B). Mature cysts
typically have 8 nuclei, and measure usually 15 to 25 m (range 10 to 35 m). The
cyst in B shows 5 nuclei visible in this focal plane.
the shape of the trophozoite is like that of a tennis or badminton racket
The dorsal surface is convex and the ventral surface is concave with a
sucking disc. The size is 14 um long by 7 um broad. The anterior end is
broad and rounded and the posterior end tapers to a sharp point. It is
bilaterally symmetrical and all the organs of the body are paired. there are
two axostyles, two nuclei and pairs of flagella.
Giardia lamblia cyst. Chlorazol black.

Trophozoites of Trichomonas vaginalis. The four flagella and
single nucleus are visible. The dark median rod is the
axostyle which is characteristic of the trichomonads
A macrophage filled with Leishmania amastigotes.
Amastigotes (*) of Leishmania donovani in the cells of a spleen. The
individual amastigotes measure approximately 1 m in diameter. The
amastigotes reproduce asexually in these cells.
Promastigotes of Leishmania sp. from culture. This is the life cycle stage
that grows in the vector and that is injected into the human host when
the vector feeds. The promastigotes are approximately 25 m in length.
Sporozoites of Plasmodium; approximate length of each = 10 m. This
life cycle stage is produced by the oocyst (see below), migrates to the
mosquito's salivary glands, and is injected when the mosquito feeds.
Plasmodium vivax (Apicomplexa)
(Benign tertian malaria)









ring stages
Trophozoite of the P. vivax
Trophozoite of the P. vivax
P. vivax
Note: Trophozoite and Schizonts
Gametocyte of the P. vivax, female
Gametocyte of the P. vivax, female
Gametocyte of the P. vivax, male
Plasmodium falciparum
During Plasmodium falciparum
infections, parasitemia can be high. It
is not uncommon to see more than
one ring form in an RBC. Also, a
single ring form will often have two
chromatin dots.


The gametes are 'banana' shaped and are
diagnostic. Because infected RBCs
become trapped in the capillaries, only
ring forms and gametes will be seen in
the peripheral blood. Another key
characteristic is that infected RBCs are
about the size of uninfected RBCs.









ring stages microgametocyte









Plasmodium falciparum (Apicomplexa)
(Malignant tertian malaria)

macrogametocytes
Gametocyte of P. falciparum, female
Gametocyte of P. falciparum, female
Merozoite of the P. malariae, female
Oocysts of Plasmodium on the surface of a mosquito gut. The dark
material is partially digested blood inside of the mosquito gut.
Plasmodium vivax (Apicomplexa)
(Benign tertian malaria)
Stages in the mosquito vector







oocysts along gut of infected
mosquito
sporozoites
Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites, stained with Giemsa, from a smear of
peritoneal fluid obtained from a mouse inoculated with T.
gondii. Tachyzoites are typically crescent shaped with a prominent,
centrally placed nucleus.
Tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii. Note the characteristic crescent
shape. Although this is an intracellular stage, the cells containing the
tachyzoites (macrophages) were broken open when the slide was
prepared. Each tachyzoite measures approximately 10 m in length.
Intracellular tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii.
A sporulated oocyst of Toxoplasma gondii. The oocyst contains two
sporocysts, each of which contain four sporozoites. Thus, they resemble
the oocysts of Isospora sp. Only cats will produce and pass Toxoplasma
oocysts; approximate diameter = 10 m.
A sporulated oocyst of Toxoplasma gondii

A B
A: Toxoplasma gondii cyst in brain tissue stained with hematoxylin and
eosin (100).
B: Zoom of Image A, T. gondii cyst.
Toxoplasma gondii cyst, unstained.
Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in a macrophages