Definition
noun
A non-pathogenic species of the genus Entamoeba that reside in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and other mammals
Supplement
Entamoeba coli is a species that is present in the gut, particularly in the large intestine of humans and other mammals, such as primates and dogs. It is nonpathogenic amebic parasite and is confused with another species of the same genus Entamoeba histolytica. The latter though is pathogenic (causing amebic dysentery) and can be identified by the number of nuclei. Entamoeba coli in comparison is larger, with more pseudopods and moves sluggishly.1 It moves not much using its pseudopod but makes a non-progressive movement. It also has a single, irregularly shaped karyosome and a large, single nucleus. Its infective stage, the mature cyst, is known to survive longer than that of Entamoeba histolytica. It can survive for three to four months outside the host.2
Entamoeba coli may be confused with Escherichia coli, which is an opportunist bacterium. That is because both of them are contracted as E. coli. Thus, Entamoeba coli is sometimes abbreviated as Ent. Coli and Escherichia coli as Esch. Coli.
Abbreviation / Acronym: E. coli or Ent. coli
Scientific classification:
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Phylum: Amoebozoa
- Class: Archamoebae
- Genus: Entamoeba
See also:
Reference(s):
1 Entamoeba coli. (n.d.) Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. (2009). Retrieved from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Entamoeba+coli.
1 Pujari, S. (n.d.). Parasite Entamoeba Coli: Life Cycle, Mode of Infection and Treatment. Retrieved from http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/zoology/parasite-entamoeba-coli-life-cycle-mode-of-infection-and-treatment/24270/.
