Amoebic dysentery
Encyclopedia
Amoebic dysentery is a type of dysentery
caused primarily by the amoeba
Entamoeba histolytica
. Amoebic dysentery is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Amoebae spread by forming infective cysts which can be found in stools, and spread if whoever touches them does not sanitize their hands. There are also free amoebae, or trophozoites, that do not form cysts.
Amoebic dysentery is most common in developing countries although it is occasionally seen in industrialized countries, and not just in travelers. Although it is commonly associated with tropical climates, the first documented case was in St Petersburg, Russia which is near the arctic circle. Amoebic dysentery is often confused with "traveler's diarrhea", or "Montezuma's Revenge" in Mexico, because of the prevalence of both in developing nations. In fact, most traveler's diarrhea is bacterial or viral in origin. Liver
infection, and subsequent amoebic abscesses can occur. Blood may be present in stool.
It can be considered equivalent to intestinal amoebiasis.
but must be followed up with a second lumenal drug to eliminate amoebae from the intestine (see Amoebiasis
for more detail).
Amoebic Dysentery does not have a vaccine, but can be avoided.
Dysentery
Dysentery is an inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially of the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in the faeces with fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, dysentery can be fatal.There are differences between dysentery and normal bloody diarrhoea...
caused primarily by the amoeba
Amoeboid
Amoeboids are single-celled life-forms characterized by an irregular shape."Amoeboid" and "amœba" are often used interchangeably even by biologists, and especially refer to a creature moving by using pseudopodia. Most references to "amoebas" or "amoebae" are to amoeboids in general rather than to...
Entamoeba histolytica
Entamoeba histolytica
Entamoeba histolytica is an anaerobic parasitic protozoan, part of the genus Entamoeba. Predominantly infecting humans and other primates, E. histolytica is estimated to infect about 50 million people worldwide...
. Amoebic dysentery is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Amoebae spread by forming infective cysts which can be found in stools, and spread if whoever touches them does not sanitize their hands. There are also free amoebae, or trophozoites, that do not form cysts.
Amoebic dysentery is most common in developing countries although it is occasionally seen in industrialized countries, and not just in travelers. Although it is commonly associated with tropical climates, the first documented case was in St Petersburg, Russia which is near the arctic circle. Amoebic dysentery is often confused with "traveler's diarrhea", or "Montezuma's Revenge" in Mexico, because of the prevalence of both in developing nations. In fact, most traveler's diarrhea is bacterial or viral in origin. Liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
infection, and subsequent amoebic abscesses can occur. Blood may be present in stool.
It can be considered equivalent to intestinal amoebiasis.
Treatment
Amoebic dysentery can be treated with metronidazoleMetronidazole
Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic medication used particularly for anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. Metronidazole is an antibiotic, amebicide, and antiprotozoal....
but must be followed up with a second lumenal drug to eliminate amoebae from the intestine (see Amoebiasis
Amoebiasis
Entamebiasis is a term for the infection more commonly known as amoebiasis.It became the preferred term in MeSH in 1991, but the term amoebiasis is used by the World Health Organization and by those working in the field of amoebiasis research....
for more detail).
Amoebic Dysentery does not have a vaccine, but can be avoided.