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Entamoeba Entamoeba Histolytica: Amoebiasis, Also Known Amoebic Dysentery, Is An Infection Caused by Any of The
Entamoeba Entamoeba Histolytica: Amoebiasis, Also Known Amoebic Dysentery, Is An Infection Caused by Any of The
Cysts of Entamoeba can survive for up to a month in soil or for up to 45 minutes under fingernails. [3] Invasion of the intestinal lining results in bloody diarrhea.[3] If the parasite reaches the
bloodstream it can spread through the body, most frequently ending up in the liver where it can cause amoebic liver abscesses.[3] Liver abscesses can occur without previous diarrhea.
[3]
Diagnosis is typical by stool examination using a microscope, but may not reliably exclude infection or separate between specific types. [3] An increased white blood cell count may be present
in severe cases.[3] The most accurate test is finding specific antibodies in the blood, but it may remain positive following treatment.[3] Bacterial colitis can result in similar symptoms.[3]
Prevention of amoebiasis is by improved sanitation, including separating food and water from faeces.[3] There is no vaccine.[3] There are two treatment options depending on the location of the
infection.[3] Amoebiasis in tissues is treated with either metronidazole, tinidazole, nitazoxanide, dehydroemetine or chloroquine, while luminal infection is treated with diloxanide
furoate or iodoquinoline.[3] Effective treatment against all stages of the disease may require a combination of medications. [3] Infections without symptoms do not require treatment but infected
individuals can spread the parasite to others and treatment can be considered. [3] Treatment of other Entamoeba infections apart from E. histolytica is not needed.[3]
Amoebiasis is present all over the world, [4] though most cases occur in the developing world.[5] About 480 million people are currently infected with about 40 million new cases per year with
significant symptoms.[3][6] This results in the death of between 40,000–110,000 people a year.[3] Most infections are now believed due to E. dispar.[3] E. dispar is more common in certain areas
and symptomatic cases may be less common than previously reported.[3] The first case of amoebiasis was documented in 1875 and in 1891 the disease was described in detail, resulting in the
terms amoebic dysentery and amoebic liver abscess.[3] Further evidence from the Philippines in 1913 found that upon swallowing cysts of E. histolytica volunteers developed the disease.[3]