A brief descriptionAmoebiasis is a common infection of the human gastro-intestinal tract. Amoebiasis is more closely related to poor sanitation and socioeconomic status than to climate. It has worldwide distribution. It is a major health problem in China, South East and West Asia and Latin America, especially Mexico.

Amoebiasis is a disease caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Only about 10% to 20% of people who are infected with E. histolytica become sick from the infection. of the project's mission.

Symptoms

The clinical spectrum ranges from asymptomatic infection, diarrhoea and dysentery to fulminant colitis and peritonitis as well as extra-intestinal amoebiasis.

Acute amoebiasis can present as diarrhoea or dysentery with frequent, small and often bloody stools.

Chronic amoebiasis can present with gastrointestinal symptoms plus fatigue, weight loss and occasional fever.

Extra-intestinal amoebiasis can occur if the parasite spreads to other organs, most commonly the liver where it causes amoebic liver abscess. Amoebic liver abscess presents with fever and right upper quadrant abdominal pain.

Other organs can also be involved, including pleuropulmonary, cardiac, cerebral, renal, genitourinary, peritoneal, and cutaneous sites. In developed countries, amebiasis primarily affects migrants from and travellers to endemic regions, men who have sex with men, and immunosuppressed or institutionalized individuals.

Causes

Amoebiasis is caused by parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Several protozoan species in the genus Entamoeba colonize humans, but not all of them are associated with disease. It exists in two forms- Vegetative (trophozoite) and cystic forms (cyst). Trophozoites multiply and encyst in the colon. The cysts are excreted in stool and are infective to humans. Cysts remain viable and infective for several days in faeces, water, sewage and soil in the presence of moisture and low temperature.

Transmission occurs via:

Faecal–oral route, either directly by person-to-person contact or indirectly by eating or drinking faecally contaminated food or water.

Sexual transmission by oral-rectal contact is also recognized especially among male homosexuals.

Vectors such as flies, cockroaches and rodents can also transmit the infection.

The incubation period for E histolytica infection is commonly 2-4 weeks but may range from a few days to years.

The use of night soil for agricultural purposes favours the spread of the disease. Epidemic/ outbreaks (occurrence of more cases of a disease than would be expected in a community or region during a given time period) are usually associated with sewage seepage into the water supply.

Diagnosis

Entamoeba histolytica must be differentiated from other intestinal protozoa. Microscopic identification of cysts and trophozoites in the stool is the common method for diagnosing E. histolytica. Differentiation is based on morphologic characteristics of the cysts and trophozoites.

In addition, E. histolytica trophozoites can also be identified in aspirates or biopsy samples obtained during colonoscopy or surgery.

Immunodiagnosis -Antibody Detection-

a) Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is most useful in patients with extra-intestinal disease (i.e., amoebic liver abscess) when organisms are not generally found on stool examination.

b) Indirect hemagglutination (IHA).

If antibodies are not detectable in patients with an acute presentation of suspected amoebic liver abscess, a second specimen should be drawn 7-10 days later. If the second specimen does not show sero-conversion, other tests should be considered.

Detectable E. histolytica-specific antibodies may persist for years after successful treatment, so the presence of antibodies does not necessarily indicate acute or current infection.

Antigen Detection-

Antigen detection may be useful as an adjunct to microscopic diagnosis in detecting parasites and to distinguish between pathogenic and nonpathogenic infections.

Molecular Diagnosis-

Conventional Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-In reference diagnosis laboratories, molecular analysis by PCR-based assays is the method of choice for discriminating between the pathogenic species (E. histolytica) and the nonpathogenic species (E. dispar).

Radiography, Ultrasonography, Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for detection of liver abscess, cerebral amoebiasis.

Rectosigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy can provide diagnostic information in intestinal amoebiasis.

Read more:

Flagyl IV Infusion 100ml

Nizonide Suspension 30ml

Satrogyl O Syrup 30ml