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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Ultrastructural Expansion Microscopy in Three In Vitro Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi
Published on: May 12, 2023
Ultrastructure of cyst differentiation in parasitic protozoa
Bibiana Chávez-Munguía1, Maritza Omaña-Molina, Mónica González-Lázaro
1Department of Experimental Pathology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Av. IPN 2508, Zacatenco, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico. bchavez@cinvestav.mx
Abstract:
Cysts represent a phase in the life cycle of biphasic parasitic protozoa that allow them to survive under adverse environmental conditions. Two events are required for the morphological differentiation from trophozoite to cyst and from cyst to trophozoite: the encystation and excystation processes. In this paper, we present a review of the ultrastructure of the encystation and excystation processes in Entamoeba invadens, Acanthamoeba castellanii, and Giardia lamblia. The comparative electron microscopical observations of these events here reported provide a morphological background to better understand recent advances in the biochemistry and molecular biology of the differentiation phenomena in these microorganisms.
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