Dientamoeba fragilis in stools (MGG stain, X1000)

France, CHU Angers Parasitologie-Mycologie

Dientamoeba fragilis is a flagellate that was classified for a long time as amoeba. To date, the cyst stage has not been identified. In a single smear, considerable variation in shape (3 µm to 15 µm) and size may be observed. The cytoplasm membrane is very thin. One or 2 nuclei may be present, with chromatin usually fragmented into granules, and a large central karyosome.