Table of Contents
What is the difference between E histolytica and E dispar?
Infection with Entamoeba histolytica has the potential to cause dysentery and extraintestinal disease, whereas E. dispar is considered to be a harmless commensal [1, 2]. The World Health Organization has recommended that “E. histolytica should be specifically identified and, if present, treated; if only E.
What is the disease of Entamoeba histolytica?
Amebiasis is a disease caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica. It can affect anyone, although it is more common in people who live in tropical areas with poor sanitary conditions. Diagnosis can be difficult because other parasites can look very similar to E.
What is the most common form of E histolytica infection?
E. histolytica infection is acquired by ingestion of cysts in contaminated water or food or by fecal-oral contact. Acquisition of the parasite can result in asymptomatic infection (most common), diarrheal illness, or extraintestinal infection, the latter most commonly manifest as amebic liver abscess.
Why should e Dispar not be treated?
Infection with E. dispar does not require treatment by a physician, as these ameba have not been identified as a cause of colitis or abscess. Patients infected with E. histolytica, however, are at risk in the future (months to years later) for developing invasive disease and should be treated.
Where is E histolytica found?
E histolytica can live in the large intestine (colon) without causing damage to the intestine. In some cases, it invades the colon wall, causing colitis, acute dysentery, or long-term (chronic) diarrhea. The infection can also spread through the bloodstream to the liver.
How is e histolytica treated?
A promising new drug to treat E. histolytica is nitazoxanide, which has been shown to have an efficacy between 69 and 96%. A study in Egypt showed treatment with a 3-day course of nitazoxanide was effective (94% efficacy) compared to placebo in the treatment of intestinal amoebiasis.
Which medicine is best for amoeba?
Metronidazole is the drug of choice for symptomatic, invasive disease; paromomycin is the drug of choice for noninvasive disease. Because parasites persist in the intestines of 40-60% of patients treated with metronidazole, this drug should be followed with paromomycin to cure luminal infection.
Can E histolytica cause death?
Entamoeba histolytica is a tiny pathogen that takes a terrible toll. The single-celled parasite—an amoeba about a tenth the size of a dust mite—infects 50 million people worldwide and kills as many as 100,000 each year.
Is Entamoeba harmful to humans?
Entamoeba histolytica is a pathogenic protozoan parasite that causes amebiasis in humans. E. histolytica infection can be asymptomatic or lead to severe disease with amebic colitis and amebic liver abscess. Amebiasis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
What medicine kills Entamoeba histolytica?
Metronidazole (Flagyl) Metronidazole kills trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica in intestines and tissue but does not eradicate cysts from intestines. It appears to be absorbed into cells. Intermediate metabolized compounds are formed and bind DNA and inhibit protein synthesis, causing cell death.