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Size Variation in Entamoeba histolytica

Abstract

THE human bowel is inhabited by amoebæ with the morphology of Entamoeba histolytica, but of differing mean size. The larger of these can be tissue-invading pathogens or may, usually in a smaller form, remain as a commensal in the bowel1. Further, there is considerable overlap in size range, at least in the commensal form, with a still smaller amoeba of similar morphology which has variously been known as E. hartmanni Prowazek, 1912; E. histolytica hartmanni Hoare, 1949; or as the small race of E. histolytica of Dobell, 1919. Of these views, the latter two have been the most widely favoured, but the work of Burrows2 has indicated that there are morphological differences which suggest that the small amoeba should be considered a distinct species. However, there is, even on Burrows's criteria, still overlap with the large form, certain features being found sometimes in one and not in the other and vice versa.

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References

  1. Hoare, C. A., Exp. Parasit., 1, 411 (1952).

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  2. Burrows, R. B., Amer. J. Hyg., 65, 172 (1957).

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FREEDMAN, L., ELSDON-DEW, R. Size Variation in Entamoeba histolytica . Nature 181, 433–434 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1038/181433a0

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