Amebiasis - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Amebiasis is a disease caused by a one-celled parasite called Entamoeba histolytica.. Entamoeba histolytica is an ameba, a type of single-celled animal that multiplies by simple division and moves around in the intestine, scavenging for small morsels of food and bacteria. Trophozoites often live in the large intestine without causing any symptoms at all, but sometimes they invade the lining of the large intestine, causing intestinal disease (called intestinal amebiasis ).

Amebiasis occurs most frequently in areas where living conditions are crowded, with inadequate sanitation. A microscopic one-celled parasite. The parasite produces cysts that are passed in the stool of infected persons. The cysts can survive in the environment in water and food and on surfaces and objects It is the third leading parasitic cause of death worldwide, surpassed only by malaria and schistosomiasis. On a global basis, amebiasis affects approximately 50 million persons each year, resulting in nearly 100,000 deaths

The mild form of amebiasis includes nausea, loose stools, weight loss, abdominal tenderness and occasional fever. The symptoms often are quite mild and can include loose stools, stomach pain, and stomach cramping. Amebic dysentery is a severe form of amebiasis associated with stomach pain, bloody stools, and fever. E. histolytica invades the liver and forms an abscess. Even less commonly, it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain.

Causes of Amebiasis

Common causes of Amebiasis

• Protozoon( E histolytica)

Symptoms of Amebiasis

Common Symptoms of Amebiasis

• Cramps.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Diarrhea.
• Stomach pain.
• Weight loss.
• Abdominal tenderness.

Treatment of Amebiasis

Common Treatment of Amebiasis

• Asymptomatic intestinal infection may be treated with iodoquinol, paromomycin, or diloxanide furoate.
• Recommended drugs for treatment of symptomatic intestinal disease and for hepatic abscess are metronidazole and tinidazole. Since these drugs may not eliminate the intraluminal cysts, immediately follow this therapy with treatment with iodoquinol, paromomycin, or diloxanide furoate.
• Toxic megacolon may occur and requires total colectomy.
• Surgical decompression may be necessary for amebic brain abscess.
• Rupture of amebic liver abscess into the pericardium may require surgical drainage.
• Conservatively manage intestinal perforation due to amebiasis.
• Drink only bottled or boiled (for 1 minute) water or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles.

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