Pathogenic intestinal protozoa table. The importance of stool protozoa analysis

Moreover, some types of protozoa can survive in the form of cysts for up to several years.

Protozoa live in the small or large intestine of humans. They are single-celled microorganisms. The ways they penetrate the host’s body are raw water, unwashed hands and food.

To detect protozoa, stool is examined for the presence of cysts. They can be detected in excrement and in vegetative form, when single-celled microorganisms are mobile and active. But when microorganisms leave the intestines, they lose their own structure and quickly die.

When protozoa take the form of a cyst, they are covered with a special shell. In this form, it is much easier to diagnose their presence in human feces. But what types of single-celled organisms take the form of cysts, and how can they be found in stool?

Many varieties of protozoa can be identified in human excrement. Cysts of the following classes are often localized in the intestine:

amoebiasis;
flagella;
ciliated;
coccidia;
amoebic.

Amoebiasis. This disease is caused by dysenteric amoeba. This simple microorganism lives in the intestines of the host and is excreted from it as a cyst or trophozoite.

But most amoebas are not pathogenic microorganisms. These are Hartmann's, Bütschli's, intestinal amoeba, entamoeba coli and en nana cysts. Determining their presence in feces is not easy.

But the dysentery amoeba cyst is easier to detect. If it was found in feces, it indicates the development of dysenteric or ulcerative colitis in a person.

The following forms of amoebas are hatched in feces:

luminal;
fabric;
encysted.

If during the diagnostic process luminal amoeba cysts are identified, this indicates that the disease has acquired a chronic form.

Complications of amoebiasis are:

bleeding from the anus;
peritonitis;
intestinal abscess;
tumor-like formations.

Balantidiasis. Balantidium is a peritocytic microorganism belonging to the ciliated family that lives in the intestine.

It is noteworthy that sometimes balantidia cysts are detected in the stool of healthy people.

Giardia belongs to the flagellates. Their cysts are very tenacious, because they are not afraid of low or high temperatures.

In the external environment, their life cycle is quite long. Moreover, they can remain in active form in unfavorable conditions for no more than 30 minutes.

Giardia cysts have an oval, pear-shaped shape. Their width (6-10 microns) and length (6-10 microns) can be different.

The urinary tract, small intestine, duodenum and bladder are considered favorable environments for the existence of the active form.

Giardiasis is mainly diagnosed before the age of 10 years. In this case, helminthiasis is severe, which is accompanied by skin rashes, weight loss, foamy stools, loss of appetite, vomiting and bloating.

Giardia damages the intestinal mucosa, mechanically blocking the passage, which affects digestion. Thus, the food is not digested and rots, causing a mass of bacteria to form. All this provokes the development of diseases of the bile ducts, pancreas and gall bladder.

Cryptosporidosis. Cryptosporidium are microorganisms that harm the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory organs. Ooscysts of Cryptosporidium parvum are spherical in shape, with a diameter of 4.2-5.4 µm.

In HIV-infected people, cryptosporidium lives throughout the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the rectum. Complications of cryptosporidosis include:

sclerosing cholangitis;
hepatitis;
cholecystitis.

To identify amoeba nana cysts and other types of protozoa in human feces, microscopic examination is carried out. To do this, biomaterial is taken from the patient for analysis, to which an ether solution is added and placed in a centrifuge. The centrifuged material is then divided into four parts.

The remaining sediment should contain cysts of unicellular microorganisms. Next, the mixture is applied to a glass slide, stained with a special solution. Thus, protozoan cysts can be seen using an electron microscope.

In addition, to identify certain types of single-celled organisms, products prepared according to Gram are used to stain glass. However, such analysis is ineffective for some species of protozoa (cryptosporidium).

To monitor therapy, tests that detect the presence of cysts of single-celled microbes are done depending on the type of disease. So, for balantidiasis and amoebiasis, the study must be done 48 hours after the start of treatment, and in the case of giardiasis - after seven days.

In preparation for the analysis, you should not eat foods that thin your stool, or drink laxatives. In addition, two days before the test, it is not recommended to use oils, rectal suppositories and agents that stimulate intestinal motility. You should also not eat foods that are colored.

A study to detect protozoan cysts in feces is recommended for children of school and preschool age and people who have been abroad.

Tests must also be taken if you consume low-quality raw water (accidentally swallowed when swimming in an open body of water) and unwashed or poorly cooked food.

The medications should be taken 4 times a day. If treatment measures are taken in a timely manner, the prognosis of the disease is favorable.

Amebiasis is treated based on the type of invasion and the condition of the patient’s organs and mucous tissues. Often, treatment of the disease involves taking Nitroimidazole:

Fasizhin;
Secnidazole;
Ornidazole;
Trichopolum;
Metronidazole.

Such drugs are used for the treatment of intestinal amebiasis, as well as for all kinds of abscesses. Patients with amoebic dysentery whose course of the disease is severe, in addition to the listed drugs, are prescribed antibiotics. In this way, purulent abscesses can be prevented.

In the case of abscesses, they are drained through the skin (aspiration). Today, amebiasis can be cured completely, but only with timely treatment. But for this it is necessary to carry out early diagnosis and choose competent treatment tactics.

Nitazoxadine;
Azithromycin;
Paromomycin;
Mepron.

This infectious disease is often accompanied by diarrhea. To get rid of it, Imodium is often used.

In addition to drug therapy, the patient must adhere to a diet. To normalize the functioning of the digestive system, the doctor prescribes mucoprotectors and enzyme agents. At the same time, it is important to drink enough liquid during therapy.

If Giardia cysts are detected in the stool, multi-stage treatment is carried out:

preparatory;
basic;
rehabilitation.

After contact with animals, you should wash your hands thoroughly. It is important to use only purified water for drinking and cooking. Moreover, you should not use someone else's towel or wear underwear.

Detection and differentiation of protozoa (distinguishing pathogenic forms from non-pathogenic ones) is a rather difficult task. Most unicellular organisms in feces are found in two forms: vegetative (trophozoite stage) - active, mobile, vital, easily susceptible to harmful influences (in particular, cooling) and therefore quickly dying after being excreted from the intestine, and in the form of cysts resistant to external influences ( oocysts). In formalized feces, protozoa are usually found only in an encysted state; To detect vegetative forms, it is necessary to examine the feces while still warm. This is due to the fact that in cooled feces, vegetative forms of protozoa quickly die and, when dead, quickly succumb to the action of proteolytic enzymes, as a result of which they lose the characteristic features of their structure. In addition, upon cooling, the mobility of protozoa decreases and then disappears - an important auxiliary factor in their differentiation.

In feces, 20 species of protozoa can be identified (8 pathogenic and opportunistic and 12 commensals). Intestinal protozoa live in the small or large intestine in the trophozoite and/or cyst stage. They belong to one of 4 groups: amoebas, flagellates, ciliates and coccidia.

Entamoeba histolytica (dysenteric amoeba) causes amebiasis in humans. Localized in the large intestine, it is excreted in the form of a trophozoite (with liquid feces) and/or a cyst (in formed stool). Due to the fact that most types of amoebas (intestinal, Hartmann, Bütschli) are not pathogenic for humans, great caution should be exercised when assessing the results of fecal examinations. Only the detection of hematophagous trophozoites (tissue form of E. histolytica forma magna) can serve as a reliable sign of the presence of amoebic dysentery and/or amoebic ulcerative colitis in a patient. The presence of erythrocytes in the protoplasm of amoebae is a very important diagnostic sign, since non-pathogenic forms of amoebae never contain them.

In all other cases, the detection of E. histolytica-like forms of trophozoites that do not contain erythrocytes is not a basis for the diagnosis of amoebiasis as a disease. The results of detecting only E. histolytica cysts (luminal form), which can be detected in individuals recovering from acute amoebiasis, in those suffering from a chronic form of amoebiasis, and in carriers, are assessed in a similar way.

Among cryptosporidium species, potentially pathogenic for humans are Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium felis (identified in HIV-infected patients). The most typical location of infection in humans is the distal small intestine. In patients with severe immunodeficiencies, the entire gastrointestinal tract can be infected - from the oropharynx to the rectal mucosa.

Diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis in most cases is based on the detection of cryptosporidium oocysts in feces and/or (much less often) in a biopsy of the small intestinal mucosa in case of watery diarrhea syndrome. Microscopy of prepared Gram-stained preparations is used. In most cases, this staining method does not detect oocysts due to their weak ability to retain the dye and the inability to distinguish them from yeast-like fungi. Therefore, acid-resistant staining is used. With this staining method, cryptosporidium oocysts are stained red or pink and are clearly visible against the blue-violet background in which other microorganisms and intestinal contents are stained.

In acute cryptosporidiosis, the number of oocysts in the feces is large, which makes them easy to detect by microscopy of stained preparations. However, in cases of chronic mild cryptosporidiosis, when the number of oocysts in the feces is small, enrichment techniques must be used to increase the likelihood of their detection. In recent years, serological methods have become frequently used to diagnose cryptosporidiosis.

Cryptosporidiosis of the biliary tract can manifest itself as cholecystitis, much less often hepatitis (with an increase in the concentration of bilirubin, the activity of AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase in the blood) and sclerosing cholangitis. To diagnose biliary cryptosporidiosis, liver biopsies and bile are examined, where cryptosporidium can be detected in various stages of development.

To monitor the effectiveness of treatment of protozoal intestinal lesions, feces are examined depending on the identified disease: for amoebiasis, balantidiasis - immediately after treatment, for giardiasis - after 1 week. After treatment of biliary tract invasions, effectiveness can be monitored both by examining stool and bile.

The human body is a habitat for a variety of microorganisms. There are especially many of them in the large and small intestines.

One part of the microorganisms that colonize the intestines is “useful” for the body, helping to cope with the digestion process. Another part of microorganisms, as well as helminths and, entering the human body from the environment, causes various infectious diseases.

There are a lot of pathogenic and opportunistic protozoa that live in the distal parts of the intestine. The routes of infection are also varied.

Possible infection:

through dirty hands;
water;
animals.

Getting from the environment, they are able to penetrate into any organs and tissues, contributing to the appearance of specific symptoms and deterioration of the patient’s well-being.

A coprogram for protozoa allows you to identify:

adult forms of protozoa;
young forms of protozoa.

The greatest danger is for elderly people, as well as for children. People who have a disorder in the immune system.

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When is the test scheduled?

The test is prescribed in the following cases:

As planned for adults working in food and pharmaceutical plants.
It is necessary for people who are engaged in medical activities to pass.
For children as planned when entering kindergarten or school.
Visit to the swimming pool.

This makes it possible to identify carriage and subsequent infection.

It is worth noting that the test is prescribed when specific complaints appear in patients, such as:

Dyspeptic complaints: nausea, vomiting, flatulence, loose stools, tenesmus.
Weakness (malaise) with little physical activity.
Dental "tapping"
Sleep disorder.
Irritability, depression.
Sudden change in weight.

From the anamnesis:

Acute respiratory viral diseases, tonsillitis, bronchitis, influenza.
Susceptibility to various diseases of the reproductive system.
When swimming in a river or lake, if water accidentally enters the gastrointestinal tract.
Using well water.
Returning from a holiday in tropical countries with poor hygiene conditions and an increased risk of protozoan infection.

Preparation for analysis and material for research

Fecal analysis does not require special preparation, however, it is worth noting a few simple requirements:

You should not take any medications for several days before the test. In particular, laxatives and antispasmodics. They affect the functioning of the small and large intestines, changing their peristalsis.
Limit rectal suppositories containing oils.
Eliminate the use of .
You should not take bismuth or barium sulfate preparations, as they contribute to the coloring of stool.
For a more reliable determination of protozoa in feces, it is necessary to avoid heavy foods.
Limit your consumption of fruits and vegetables.
You can take low-fat fermented milk products.

Stool analysis for protozoa or helminths:

Available in the morning.
Before defecation, it is necessary to urinate. This is necessary to ensure that feces do not mix with urine.
Another requirement is that you don’t have to wash yourself.
After the act of defecation, collection is carried out using a spoon and a special container, which can be purchased at any pharmacy.
A small amount of feces, about twenty grams, is collected.
The feces are then examined in the clinic's laboratory.
It should be noted that the time after defecation before the stool is sent to the laboratory should not exceed two hours.

A smear is made on a slide in the laboratory. The contents are then examined under a microscope at high and low magnification. Feces are colored with various dyes. Adult and juvenile forms of protozoa are studied.

The research proceeds as follows:

When examining the contents of feces, conditionally pathogenic forms can be detected. They characterize the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If they are present, it indicates normal functioning of the immune system, and if there is a sharp decrease, it indicates reduced immune defense. A sharp increase in their population indicates the occurrence of a pathological process in the intestine.
In addition to visualizing adult (vegetative forms) of protozoa in the feces, cysts can also be detected. They are less informative, since many protozoan cysts are similar to each other.

Treatment should be started immediately! Protect yourself and your loved ones!

What should a normal stool analysis look like and what protozoa does it detect?

There are no protozoa in the stool of healthy people. But there are cases when protozoa colonize the distal parts of the intestine, however, are not visualized in the fecal contents. This is due to the long life cycle of protozoa.

Consequently, if protozoa are suspected in the body, and not detected during the first stool examination, a repeat stool examination is prescribed for microscopic examination. Repeated tests are prescribed if the drugs are effective against protozoa.

Thanks to stool analysis, it is possible to visualize such forms of protozoa as:

Amoeba;
Giardia;
Ciliates;
Cryptosporidium.

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Decoding stool analysis

Amoebas

Amoebas— the detection of these protozoa in feces indicates the occurrence of an infectious disease such as amoebiasis.

Infection occurs as follows:

The source of infection is a person who releases vegetative forms, as well as protozoan cysts, into the environment.
Infection occurs when hygiene rules are not followed.
Protozoa enter the gastrointestinal tract through dirty hands or unwashed fruits or vegetables.
According to statistics, the disease affects mainly men aged twenty to forty years.
Prevalence: everywhere.

After the amoeba enters the distal parts of the intestine, it penetrates the mucous membrane, which is accompanied by a specific syndrome.

There is a weakening of peristalsis, and deep or superficial defects form in the mucous or muscular lining of the intestine. The diameter of the ulcers reaches several centimeters.

As the infection progresses, peritonitis may develop. The amoeba can also enter the systemic circulation and travel through the bloodstream to the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen, and pelvic organs.

Giardia

Giardia– visualization in fecal contents indicates the presence of a disease such as giardiasis.

Features of giardiasis:

The source of infection is both humans and animals.
Colonizes the distal parts of the small intestine.
Infection occurs through contact with infected animals.
Paths of infection can also be: dirty hands, unwashed vegetables and fruits, things, unwashed dishes, accidental entry of water with Giardia into the digestive system from a river or lake, well water.

Ciliates

Features of ciliates:

The routes of infection are the same as for amoeba or lamblia.
When it enters the intestine, it penetrates into the mucous membrane. Ulcers and erosions form.
Then scarring of the affected part of the intestine occurs.
Most often found in people involved in farming.

Blastocysts

Blastocysts– the routes of infection for protozoal infections are the same as for amoeba, lamblia, and ciliates.

Characteristics of the disease:

Localized in the distal parts of the large intestine.
They occur even in healthy people.
Symptoms may often be absent and occur as a result of a decrease in the body’s protective properties.
Under unfavorable environmental conditions, like many protozoa, they are capable of forming cysts.

Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis– the latent period averages about two weeks from the moment the patient is infected.

Has the following characteristic features:

It primarily affects the small intestine.
It occurs equally in both men and women.
After entering the small intestine, it penetrates into intestinal cells and forms an oocyst.
The route of infection is fecal-oral.

Serological methods for studying protozoa

In addition to examining stool analysis for the presence of protozoa in the body. There are also serological tests - the hemagglutination reaction or latex agglutination can detect amebiasis.

The complement fixation reaction or indirect hemagglutination reaction allows you to verify:

toxoplasmosis;
giardiasis;
amoebiasis.

Where can I get tested and how much does it cost?

Cost of protozoa analysis:

A stool test can be taken at any clinic or private center. Price ranges from 300-500 rubles .
The price for PCR and other serological tests will reach up to 3000 rubles .

As a result, we found out that people need to undergo a stool test as planned in order to get a job. For children to go to kindergarten or school. Students in higher education institutions or colleges.

In addition to detecting amoeba, lamblia, balantidia, cryptosporidium or blastocysts in the feces, various helminths can also be detected. For example: roundworms, bovine and pork tapeworms, pinworms and others.

In addition to the classical method of determining protozoa in feces, there are also other methods, such as the polymerase chain reaction, passive hemagglutination reaction, latex agglutination.

A cyst (cista) is an intermediate stage or form of existence of most microorganisms, during which they are covered with a kind of protective shell. The process of cyst formation starts at the moment when the simplest organism finds itself in unfavorable conditions. The shell temporarily “freezes” the metabolism.

What is a cyst in biology?

The formation of a cyst is encystment. This form of life is temporary. From a biological point of view, it is necessary for reproduction and for protecting a particular population from extinction.

Some simple organisms, under certain circumstances, can remain in a cyst-like state for hundreds of years.

There are 3 forms of cyst:

The cyst is a protective layer that allows microorganisms to survive even without oxygen. The appearance of cysts can be seen in the photo using Giardia as an example. They look like microscopic oval-shaped grains with two kernels on the sides.

Non-cellular life forms (bacteriophages, viruses) do not encyst.

Cyst – formation of a protective shell around a microorganism

Conditions for cyst formation

In the natural environment, cysts form predominantly at extremely high or low temperatures. For example, amoebas stop feeding and reproducing in the fall. With the arrival of cold weather, their bodies become rounded and covered with a thick membrane - a cyst. The same process occurs when rivers and lakes dry up.

The cercariae of the liver fluke encyst as soon as they enter the grass along with the feces of domestic animals (mainly cats). Cattle subsequently eat the cysts along with the greens. This process of transporting helminths is the most common.

Analysis for cysts

Pathogenic microorganisms are much easier to detect if they are in the shell. For analysis you will need biological material - feces. Adults do not survive in feces, as they die almost immediately and instantly decompose under the influence of environmental conditions.

It is possible that the first analysis will show a false negative result in a person, since the infection itself has a wave-like nature. That is, at different periods of the course of the disease there are fewer or more cysts in the biological material, and sometimes they may not exist at all. Therefore, it is much more advisable to take several intermediate tests.

To detect protozoa in the patient's stool, a microscopic examination method is used. On the day of the test, you should not take medications, especially laxatives, or do enemas. The material for research should be as fresh and “clean” as possible.

Cyst forms that can be found in feces:

cilia (ciliated);
spore;
rhizomes;
ciliates;
flagella (flagellates)
intestinal coccidia (cryptosporidium).

The most common pathogenic microorganisms found in cyst form: Entamoeba coli (entamoeba coli, intestinal amoeba), Chilomastix mesnili (chilomastix), Lamblia intestinalis (giardia), Entamoeba histolytica (dysenteric amoeba).

Dysenteric amoeba in cystic form

Do I need treatment?

Almost all healthy people have blastysts in their intestines. Under unfavorable conditions, these protozoan organisms transform into cysts. Blacysts are opportunistic pathogens, so in some people they can cause the disease blastocystosis. But in most cases, these microorganisms do not cause any harm.

Typically, an infected person exhibits symptoms, expressed by general intoxication of the body. Therefore, the patient himself feels when he needs to go to the doctor and get tested. Another characteristic feature is the presence of small dots in the stool.

Many experts believe that the body of an adult and even a child is able to cope with protozoa without additional treatment.

During a general examination, a child may be found to have asymptomatic giardiasis. This will indicate that he is a carrier of the disease and is potentially dangerous for the children's team. Therefore, a sick child will not be accepted into kindergarten until he is completely cured.

Treatment

Preparation;
taking essential medications;
rehabilitation.

If treatment is incomplete or incorrect, the disease will recur, so treatment must be taken seriously.

Preparatory stage

At this stage, the patient must follow the following medical recommendations:

Follow a strict diet. You should saturate your diet with cereals, cereals, vegetables, fruits and complex carbohydrates. Do not consume: alcoholic drinks, soda, sweets, fatty foods.
Take cleansers. Medicinal preparations and enterosorbents (Smecta, activated carbon) are suitable. Adult patients are recommended to have a fasting day once a week. All this will help cleanse the body of toxins formed due to the activity of pathogenic microorganisms.
Maintain cleanliness. You need to regularly wash clothes and bedding, wash your hands after going outside, and handle food. Many patients after therapy are re-infected with cysts due to poor personal hygiene during treatment.

If necessary, at this stage you can take medications to relieve the symptoms of the disease. These can be choleretic or antiallergic drugs.

Drug treatment

At this stage, drugs that remove protozoa from the body are added to therapy. The choice of medication depends on the type of infectious agent. The most commonly used medications for treatment are:

Trichopolum. Available in the form of tablets and suppositories. Until recently, the medicine was used only for the treatment of Trichomonas infections (pathogen: Trichomonas). Now the drug is also used for the treatment of giardiasis, helicobacteriosis (the causative agent is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori), and amoebiasis. The medication is prohibited for use in children under 3 years of age. Daily dose for children under 10 years of age: 125 mg 2 times a day (course of treatment: week). For adult patients and children over 10 years of age: 500 mg 2 times a day for a week. Cost of 20 tablets: from 130 rubles.
Azithromycin. A semi-synthetic antibiotic, available in the form of tablets and capsules. The medicine is used to treat anaerobic infections, inflammatory and infectious pathologies. The drug is approved for use by children. Daily dosage: 5 mg per 1 kg (for children), 0.5 g per 1 kg (for adults). Course of treatment: 5 days. Price of tablets: from 120 rubles.
Ornidazole. Available in tablet form. The medication is used for the treatment of amoebiasis, trichomoniasis, and giardiasis. The drug is also used to prevent anaerobic infections. The medicine is prohibited for use in children whose body weight is less than 12 kg. Daily dose for children under 12 years of age: 1 g (divided into two doses). Course of treatment: week. Dosage for adults and children over 12 years of age: from 1.5 to 2 g per day (the daily rate depends on the patient’s body weight). Course of treatment: 2–4 days. Cost of medicine: from 150 rubles.

You need to choose and take medications very carefully, since they all have a lot of side effects and contraindications. Therapeutic agents for pregnant and lactating women are selected by the doctor on an individual basis.

Rehabilitation

Do not forget that various cysts can be transmitted sexually and domestically. There are no preventive methods that can 100% protect a person from this unpleasant phenomenon. Therefore, it is worth observing basic hygiene rules to prevent infection.

The main and most significant protozoa that cause diseases in humans are Giardia, dysenteric amoeba and Balantidium.

The disease most often affects children from 1 to 4 years of age, in whom it occurs in a particularly severe form and is accompanied by significant loss of body weight.

Symptoms of giardiasis most often include bloating and rumbling in the abdomen, increased gas formation, frequent (up to ten times a day) foamy, watery yellowish stools with an unpleasant odor, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Sometimes pinpoint pink skin rashes and a slight increase in body temperature are observed. Due to impaired absorption of fats, their concentration in feces increases.

If the disease is not treated, it can become chronic, which is manifested by pallor of the skin (especially the face and nose), symptoms of biliary dyskinesia (pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbance, appetite, emotional and physical weakness), possibly the occurrence of allergic reactions (skin itching, atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, rhinitis, arthritis, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, etc.), neuroses.

Complications of giardiasis are dysbiosis and secondary intestinal fermentopathy (deficiency of digestive enzymes due to infection).

Dysenteric amoeba (Entamoeba Histolytica) - affects the large intestine and causes the disease amoebiasis. The incubation period lasts from one week to three months. The first symptoms of the disease are weakness, headache, abdominal pain, loose stools mixed with mucus and blood, and low-grade fever. If the disease is not treated, it becomes chronic.

The luminal form of amoeba is localized in the lumen of the upper parts of the large intestine and is found in patients with chronic amoebiasis, carriers of the disease, as well as in patients recovering from acute amoebiasis.

Complications of amoebiasis can include intestinal perforation, leading to peritonitis and abscess of the abdominal cavity, intestinal bleeding, prolapse of the rectal mucosa, amoeba (tumor-like growth in the wall of the large intestine).

Balantidium coli - affects the mucous membrane of the large intestine, causing inflammatory and ulcerative processes of varying severity.

Symptoms of the disease are abdominal pain, loose stools mixed with mucus and blood, vomiting, headaches, tenderness and enlargement of the liver, coated tongue, weight loss. In severe cases of the disease, death is possible.

In the body, protozoa are found in two forms: vegetative (a form of growth and development of protozoa, subject to harmful influences) and in the form of cysts (a form of existence of protozoa in a special shell that protects them from external influences).

Due to the susceptibility of vegetative forms of protozoa to harmful effects, incl. cooling, they are detected in the stool only before it cools (they die during cooling), i.e. approximately 20 minutes after collecting the material. If the study is carried out at a later date, the analysis will reveal only protozoan cysts.