Entamoeba coli

A commensal species that does not cause disease, found in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals.

Entamoeba dispar

Entamoeba histolitica in the old sense, has been found to be made up of two species: true Entamoeba histolitica (previously known as 'pathogenic E. histolytica') and Entamoeba dispar (previously known as 'non-pathogenic E. histolytica'). As the terms suggest, Entamoeba dispar does not cause disease, but it is commonly found in humans and other animals, in fact more commonly so than Entamoeba histolitica.

Entamoeba gingivalis

Lives in the mouth (teeth, gums, tonsils) of humans and other animals (e.g. primates, dogs and cats)  where it eats bacteria and blood cells (leukocytes and erythrocytes). Note that the gum disease called gingivitis, which causes inflamation of the gums, is caused by bacteria rather than Entamoeba gingivalis. However, the presence of the latter is normally associated with poor oral hygiene which in turn is associated with heavy plaque (bacterial biofilms) and gingivitis.

Entamoeba histolitica

The cause of amoebic dysentery and amoebic liver abscess in humans and also infects other animals such as dogs, pigs and cattle. Transmission is through the consumption of cysts in faecal-infected water or food

Entoamoeba invadens

A intestinal parasite of reptiles such as snakes and lizards that causes disease similar to that caused by Entamoeba histolitica. Also found in turtles but does not seem to cause disease in these animals.

Entamoeba moshkovskii

This species has become secondarily free-living and is commonly found worldwide in anoxic sediments such as are found in sewage pans and the bottoms of muddy rivers. However, is can also be found in clean river sediments and in brackish coastal pools. It is rarely found in humans and in such cases has not caused sickness.

Entamoeba terrapinae

A commensal species found in turtles.