Studies on the morphology and biology of Entamoeba moshkovskii Tshalaia, 1941

Abstract

1. Entamoeba moshkovskii was isolated from a sewage plant in North London.2. The morphology and metacystic development is similar to that of E. histolytica and other histolytica-like amoebae, but with differences in minor details.3. The cysts of E. moshkovskii remain viable when kept at 4° C. for periods up to 10 months providing they are not allowed to dry.4. If the amoebae are placed in hypotonic solution, the amoebae attempt to eliminate excess water by means of contracting vacuoles, but they eventually die.5. Experiments have shown that E. moshkovskii is an anaerobe.6. The optimum temperature for growth is about 24° C. as encystation does not occur at 37° C.7. E. moshkovskii is not infective to rats or to larvae of the common frog (Rana temporaria) and Salamandra maculosa.