Microbiology & infectious diseases

Parasites-gastrointestinal (not liver)

Iodamoeba bütschlii



Last author update: 1 October 2018
Last staff update: 5 October 2020

Copyright: 2018-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

PubMed Search: Iodamoeba bütschlii

Nat Pernick, M.D.
Page views in 2023: 1,042
Page views in 2024 to date: 171
Cite this page: Pernick N. Iodamoeba bütschlii. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/parasitologyiodamoebabutschlii.html. Accessed March 28th, 2024.
Definition / general
  • Nonpathogenic ameba that can colonize the large intestine
Terminology
  • The name Iodamoeba comes from the large clear space in the cytoplasm
Epidemiology
Sites
Etiology
  • Acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water
  • Does not appear to be associated with HIV infection
Case reports
Cytology description
Cytology images

Contributed by Bobbi Pritt, M.D.

Anal Pap smear



Case #402

Anal Pap smear

Differential diagnosis
  • Entamoeba histolytica: similar size but its cytoplasm often contains ingested red blood cells and its nucleus has a smaller karyosome with a peripheral rim of condensed chromatin
  • Endolimax nana and other nonpathogenic amebae: may be difficult to differentiate from I. bütschlii; requires a stool examination in the microbiology lab; nonpathogenic amebae can travel with pathogenic organisms (Diagn Cytopathol 2014;42:775)
Back to top
Image 01 Image 02