Endolimax | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Phylum: | Amoebozoa |
Class: | Archamoebea |
Order: | Pelobiontida |
Family: | Mastigamoebidae |
Genus: | Endolimax Kuenen & Swellengrebel, 1913 |
Endolimax is a genus of amoebozoa[1] that are found in the intestines of various animals, including the species E. nana found in humans. Originally thought to be non-pathogenic, studies suggest it can cause intermittent or chronic diarrhea.[2][3] Additionally, it is very significant in medicine because it can provide false positives for other tests, notably the similar species Entamoeba histolytica, the pathogen responsible for amoebic dysentery, and because its presence indicates the host has consumed fecal material. It forms cysts with four nuclei which excyst in the body and become trophozoites. Endolimax nana nuclei have a large endosome somewhat off-center and small amounts of visible chromatin or none at all.