User:CFCF/Amoebiasis
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amoebiasis, amebiasis, (or entamobiasis[1][2]), is an infection caused by any of the amoebas of the Entamoeba group. Symptoms are most common upon infection by Entamoeba histolytica.[3]
A gastrointestinal infection that may or may not be symptomatic and can remain latent in an infected person for several years, amoebiasis is estimated to cause 70,000 deaths per year world wide.[4] Symptoms can range from mild diarrhea to dysentery with blood and mucus in the stool. E. histolytica is usually a commensal organism.[5] Severe amoebiasis infections (known as invasive or fulminant amoebiasis) occur in two major forms. Invasion of the intestinal lining causes amoebic dysentery or amoebic colitis. If the parasite reaches the bloodstream it can spread through the body, most frequently ending up in the liver where it causes amoebic liver abscesses. Liver abscesses can occur without previous development of amoebic dysentery. [citation needed]
When no symptoms are present, the infected individual is still a carrier, able to spread the parasite to others through poor hygienic practices. While symptoms at onset can be similar to bacillary dysentery, amoebiasis is not bacteriological in origin and treatments differ, although both infections can be prevented by good sanitary practices.[citation needed]
The first case of amoebiasis was documented in 1875, but first 1891 was E. histiolytica singled out as the infectious agent, heralding terms amoebic dysentery and amoebic liver abscess.[3] Further experimental evidence came from volunteers in the Philipines in 1913 who upon injesting cysts of E. histiolytica developed the disease.[3] It has been known since 1903 that at least one species of non-disease causing entamoeba exist, but it was first formally recognized by the WHO in 1997. In addition to the recognized E. Dispar evidence shows there is likely another species of E. moshkovskii as well.[3] The reason these species haven't been differentiated until recently may be because they look very similar. Studies prior to separating out non-disease causing Entamoeba estimate 480 million infected with E. histiolytica, causing the death of between 40000–110000 people every year. It has been shown that E. dispar is far more common in endemic areas and because of this symptomatic cases may be far fewer. In Europe and North America E. dispar is far more common and may .[3]