The active and motile form,
called trophozoites, are the stage which lives in the intestines of an affected mammal.
Once they enter the digestive tract, they turn
into trophozoite which interfere with digestive system function Source: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
It attaches to the cells of the intestine with its adhesive disc and rapidly divides to produce a whole population
of trophozoites.
The
Giardia trophozoite (Figure 1)- which is the active stage of the organism - inhabits the small intestine of the dog.
Examination of soft feces may reveal the
active trophozoites, and cysts may be found in firm excrement.
These
motile trophozoites attach to the lining of the small intestine where they interfere with digestion.
Once eaten, the cyst breaks open in the animals» intestine and releases two
new trophozoites to initiate infection.
It eventually makes its way to the intestine, where it lives as
a trophozoite, and undergoes asexual reproduction.
In this image,
the trophozoites» microtubule skeletons are immunostained (red), while their paired nuclei are DAPI stained (fluorescent blue).
Cyst,
trophozoite («amoeba»), and flagellate forms of the protist Naegleria fowleri.
Once the cyst passes into the dog's intestines, it goes through a transformation to
the trophozoite, or feeding form, and attaches to the intestinal wall to feed.
If the dog has an immature or overburdened immune system,
the trophozoites continue to multiply by dividing and can cause the debilitating disease.
Scientists do know that
the trophozoites encyst at some point, and that the cysts are passed into the environment when the dog defecates, but the exact timing and mechanism are not yet known.
Once ingested by the dog, the cysts open and discharge the mobile form known as
the trophozoite, a pear - shaped critter with whip - like flagella that propel it through the intestine.
If the dog is healthy,
the trophozoites may live in the lower digestive tract for years.
Giardia exists in 2 forms;
trophozoites and cysts.
These trophozoites produce non-motile cysts which are shed into the environment.
Gastric acid and pancreatic enzymes work on these cysts in the stomach and intestines, causing them to release 2
trophozoites.
The cyst is then activated in the gut and becomes
a trophozoite and starts the whole cycle over.
The first form is called
a trophozoite.
When a new kitten or susceptible adult cat eats these cysts the cysts morph back into
their trophozoites form where they multiply rapidly and may invade and irritate the lining of the animals small intestine.
The cyst (Figure 2) is more able to survive in the environment than
the trophozoite, which is very fragile.
In susceptible dogs, once the cyst passes into the dog's intestines, it goes through a transformation to
the trophozoite, or feeding form, and attaches to the intestinal wall to feed.
A fragile feeding form, known as
the trophozoite, exists in the gut of infected animals, while a hardy cystic form is shed in feces and can survive several months in the environment, particularly in water and damp environments.
Some of
the Trophozoites will form new cysts, which pass out of or are shed from the body, allowing the disease to spread.
When a new puppy or susceptible adult dog eats these cysts the cysts morph back into
their trophozoites form which multiply rapidly and may invade and irritate the lining of the animals small intestine.
This adult feeding form is called
a trophozoites.
With a direct smear test, feces are combined with saline to identify giardia in
the trophozoite stage.
A fragile, feeding form known as
the trophozoite exists in the gut of infected animals.
Once inside the cat's intestine, the cyst goes through transformation to the «
trophozoite» or feeding form of the organism and attaches to the intestinal wall to feed.
Two
trophozoites of Trichomonas vaginalis, the causative agent of trichomoniasis.