Entamoeba polecki is an intestinal parasite found primarily in pigs and monkeys. It has two stages in its life cycle - as a trophozoite and as a cyst. While most infections are asymptomatic, some reports have shown symptomatic infections in humans causing diarrhea. Laboratory diagnosis involves examining stool samples for the presence of trophozoites and cysts. Treatment typically involves a combination of metronidazole and diloxanide furoate, or metronidazole alone.

1. Entamoeba
polecki
Prepared by: Veronica Baje

2. Entamoeba polecki
• Entamoeba polecki is an intestinal parasite of the genus Entamoeba. E. polecki
is found primarily in pigs and monkeys and is largely considered non-
pathogenic in humans, although there have been some reports regarding
symptomatic infections of humans

3. Trophozoites
• Measures 12 to 20μm.
• Trophozoites may vary in size, however,
ranging from 8 to 25μm.
• Sluggish, non progressive motility is
observed in stools of normal consistency.
• In diarrheal stools, trophozoites exhibit
progressive, unidirectional motility.

4. Cysts
• Range in size from 10 to 20μm, the average is 12
to 18μm.
• Spherical to oval.
• Contain one nucleus.
• The nucleus consists of a small central
karyosome.

5. Life Cycle
• There are two stages in the life cycle of E.
polecki.
• The first is as a trophozoite, a vegetative stage
that cannot survive in the environment.
• The second is a cyst, where transmission of
parasite is possible and provides protection to
harsh external environments. Cysts are
infective when ingested by another organism.
• The cystic form of this protozoan has a
diameter as small as 9.5 µm and as large as
17.5 µm.
• Morphologically, E. polecki is extremely similar
to Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba
hartmanni.

6. Laboratory Diagnosis
• The trophozoites and cysts of E. polecki may be diagnosed by examining stool
samples.

7. Clinical
Sympoms
• Most patients with E. polecki are
asymptomatic. The only documented
discomfort associated with symptomatic
patients is diarrhea.

8. Treatment
• A combination of metronidazole and
diloxanide furoate has successfully treated
patients with E. polecki. Metronidazole
alone has also been effective.