Amebiasis -cause, clinical features and treatment Custom Search Amebiasis is an infectious disease caused by a parasite belonging to Protozoa. Protozoa are unicellular organisms (the organism is just one cell which can only be seen under a microscope and the reproduction is by simple division of the cell). A parasite is an organism which cannot exist independently. It lives either on another organism (ectoparasite) or inside another organism (endoparasite). The organism causing amebiasis is called Entamoeba histolytica (amoeba). It is an endoparsite. It is prevalent all over the world and is more common among those living under poor hygienic conditions. About 1 in 10 people in the world is affected by this disease. It can cause many symptoms and rarely even lead to death. The organism exists in two forms-trophozoite and cyst. Cysts are passed in the feces and man is infected when he consumes water or food contaminated by the cysts.
Cysts can survive the severe acidic environment of the stomach and reach the intestine where the covering dissolves releasing the trophozoites which cause disease. If the trophozoites are ingested they are easily killed by the stomach acid. Clinical features: The manifestations of amebiasis are grouped under two categories-intestinal and extra intestinal. Intestinal amebiasis: These symptoms are caused by the presence of amoeba in the intestine. Many people are asymptomatic cyst passers-a condition diagnosed by identification of cysts on routine examination of feces. Some people may suffer from acute amoebic dysentery characterized by passage of loose stools mixed with mucus and blood, abdominal pain, and pain while defecating. Another manifestation is chronic diarrhea. Some children may only complain of abdominal pain without any abnormality on examination. Ameboma is a localized infection usually in the cecum or proximal part of colon. This presents as a painful abdominal mass. Rarely a child usually under the age of 2 years can suffer from a condition called fulminant colitis which presents with severe bloody diarrhea, generalized abdominal pain and fever. The condition may be fatal in some children. Intestinal amebiasis can occasionally lead to perforation of the intestine and diffuse infection of the peritoneum (peritonitis). Less commonly chronic inflammation and scarring may result is stricture (narrowing) of the colon. Custom Search
Page last reviewed on 6th June 2010
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