Stool Examination · Pathology

Which microscopic finding is virtually diagnostic for a vegetative (trophozoite) stage of Entamoeba histolytica containing ingested red blood cells?

  1. Passive commensalism
  2. Protective encystation
  3. Erythrophagocytosis
  4. Asexual schizogony
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Correct answer: Erythrophagocytosis

Erythrophagocytosis, or the presence of ingested RBCs in the cytoplasm of a trophozoite, is a definitive feature used to distinguish pathogenic E. histolytica from the morphologically identical non-pathogenic E. dispar.

Difficulty: Medium Question 8 of 20

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