Image of Acanthamoeba polyphaga

Description:

Magnified 500X, this 1973 photomicrograph depicted a mouse brain tissue specimen stained using the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining technique, and revealing the presence of Acanthamoeba polyphaga protozoa.

Acanthamoeba is a microscopic, free-living ameba commonly found in the environment that can cause rare but severe illness. Acanthamoeba causes three main types of illness involving the eye (keratitis), the brain and spinal cord (Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis), and infections that can spread from an entry point to the entire body (disseminated disease).
Created: 1973