Trophozoite

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Trophozoite

A Trophozoite is the active, motile, feeding stage of a protozoan parasite. It is the stage in the life cycle of the parasite where it is absorbing nutrients from the host. This stage is followed by the cyst stage, where the parasite forms a protective wall around itself and becomes dormant.

Life Cycle[edit | edit source]

The life cycle of a protozoan parasite typically involves several stages, including the trophozoite and cyst stages. The trophozoite stage is the active, feeding stage, where the parasite is absorbing nutrients from the host. This is followed by the cyst stage, where the parasite forms a protective wall around itself and becomes dormant. The cyst can then be excreted by the host and ingested by another host, starting the cycle again.

Diseases[edit | edit source]

Trophozoites are responsible for causing several diseases in humans, including amoebiasis, giardiasis, and malaria. In these diseases, the trophozoite stage of the parasite is the stage that causes the symptoms of the disease.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for diseases caused by trophozoites typically involves antiprotozoal medications. These medications work by killing the trophozoites, preventing them from absorbing nutrients and reproducing.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Trophozoite Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD