Entamoeba histolytica: Difference between revisions

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 19: Line 19:


The infection of ''E. histolytica'' causes the disease, Amebiasis (a.k.a. Amoebiasis).
The infection of ''E. histolytica'' causes the disease, Amebiasis (a.k.a. Amoebiasis).
==Description and Significance==
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced.  Describe how and where it was isolated.
Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
==Genome structure==
Describe the size and content of the genome.  How many chromosomes?  Circular or linear?  Other interesting features?  What is known about its sequence?
Does it have any plasmids?  Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
==Cell structure and metabolism==
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
==Ecology==
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
==Pathology==
How does this organism cause disease?  Human, animal, plant hosts?  Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
==Application to Biotechnology==
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes?  What are they and how are they used?
==Current Research==
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
==References==
[Sample reference] [http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/50/2/489 Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "''Palaeococcus ferrophilus'' gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". ''International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology''. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.]
Edited by Louisa Lee student of [mailto:ralarsen@ucsd.edu Rachel Larsen]

Revision as of 05:45, 28 August 2007

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Entamoeba histolytica

Classification

Higher order taxa

Cellular organisms; Eukaryota; Entamoebidae; Entamoeba

Species

Entamoeba histolytica

NCBI: [1] Taxonomy

Description and Significance

Entamoeba histolytica is an anaerobic parasitic protozoan that infects the digestive tracts of predominantly humans and other primates. E. histolytica can infect dogs and cats, but these animals do not contribute significantly to transmission since they usually do not produce cysts. Cysts are the viable form of the parasite outside the host. Cysts are shed with the host's feces; they can be transmitted in water, soils and on foods under moist conditions. The active stage of the parasite is called the trophozoite, which only survives in the host and in fresh feces.

The infection of E. histolytica causes the disease, Amebiasis (a.k.a. Amoebiasis).

Description and Significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.

Genome structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

Cell structure and metabolism

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by Louisa Lee student of Rachel Larsen