N

W E
S
Protozoan
Infection
(Amebiasis)
Amebiasis

• Amebiasis (am-e-BI-a-sis) is a disease

caused by a one-celled parasite called
Entamoeba histolytica
(ent-a-ME-ba his-to-LI-tika).

• Although it is more common in people

who live in tropical areas with poor
sanitary conditions
Definition:
 Amoebiasis is a parasitic protozoan
disease that affects the gut mucosa
and liver, resulting in dysentery,
colitis and liver abscess.
 Globally, amoebiasis is highly
prevalent, and is the second leading
cause of death to parasitic disease

 The causative agent, Entamoeba

histolytica, is a potent pathogen that
is spread via ingestion of
contaminated food and water.
 Causes of Amoebiasis:
The main cause of amoebiasis is- single cell
parasite called entamoeba histolytica. The
parasite burrows into the wall of the intestine to
cause small abscesses and ulcers . From there
they enter the veins of the intestine and are
carried to the liver .

Even though there is constant spread of

infection, (within a family) some people are
resistant to amoebiasis. Even if infected, they
only act as a carrier to the disease and do not
develop themselves. This shows that the
ultimate cause of suffering is hidden than the
exposed causative factor i.e. amoeba.
 TYPES OF AMOEBIASIS

 Intestinal amoebiasis
Amebiasis is a parasitic infection of the intestines caused by the
amoeba Entamoeba histolytica, or E. histolytica. The symptoms of
amebiasis include loose stool, abdominal cramping, and stomach
pain
 Extrainintestinal amoebiasis
Extraintestinal manifestations include amebic liver abscess and
other more rare manifestations such as pulmonary, cardiac, and
brain involvement Amebic liver abscess is the most common
extraintestinal manifestation of amebiasis. Amebae establish
hepatic infection by ascending the portal venous system
 Transmission

1. Direct contact of person to person(fecal-oral)

2. Veneral transmission among homosexual males (oral-anal)

3. Food or drink contaminated with feces containing the E.his. cyst

4. Use of human feces (night soil) for soil fertilizer

5. Contamination of foodstuffs by flies, and possibly cockroaches

• Amebic liver • Symptoms include
abscesses are the pain or discomfort
most common over the liver, which
manifestation of is occasionally
extraintestinal referred to the right
amebiasis. shoulder, as well as
Pleuropulmonary intermittent fever,
abscess, brain abscess, sweats, chills, nausea,
and necrotic lesions on vomiting, weakness,
the perianal skin and and weight loss
genitalia have also been Extraintestinal
observed.Oct
Amebiasis
 Host factor
• People in developing countries that have poor
• Sanitary conditions
• Immigrants from developing countries
• Travelers to developing countries
• People who live in institutions that have poor sanitary conditions
• HIV-positive patients
• Men who have sex with men All age groups affected
• No gender or racial differences
• Severe if children, old, pregnant, PEM
• Develops antiamoebic antibodies in tissue invasion
 Diagnosis of Amoebiasis /
Amoebic Dysentery
Stool examination - Microscopic examination for identifying demonstrable E.H
cysts or trophozoites in stool samples is the most confirmative method for
diagnosis. Trophozoites survive only for a few hours, so the diagnosis mostly
goes with the presence of cysts. But fresh warmfaecesalways show
trophozoites. Thecysts are identified by their spherical nature with chromatin
bars and nucleus. They are noticed as brownish eggs when stained with iodine.
Biopsy also can point out E.H cysts or trophozoites.
Culture of the stool also can guide us for diagnosis.
Blood tests may suggest infection which may be indicated as leucocytesis
(increased levelof white blood cells), also it can indicate whether any damage to
the liver has occurred or not.
Ultrasound scan - it should be performed when a liver abscess is suspected.
 TREATMENT

 E. histolytica infections occur in both the intestine and (in people with
symptoms) in tissue of the intestine and/or liver. anti-amoebic drugs are
known as amoebicides are used ..

 Tinidazole and metronidazole in the treatment of intestinal amoebiasis.

 you have no symptoms but are found to have E. Histolytica in a stool

(facces) specimen, it is usually advised that you should be treated with
medication to kill the parasite. The medicine diloxanide furoate is
commonly used.
 Prevention
To help prevent the spread of
amoebiasis around the home :
Wash hands thoroughly with
soap after using the toilet and
before handling food. Clean
bathrooms and toilets often;
pay particular attention to toilet
seats and taps. Avoid sharing
towels or face washers.
To help prevent infection:

Avoid raw vegetables when in

endemic areas, as they may
have been fertilized using
human feces. Boil water or
treat with iodine tablets.
Avoid eating street foods
especially in public places
sanitary practice, as well as
responsible sewage disposal
or treatment, are necessary
for the prevention of
AMOEBIASIS
Complications of amoebic colitis include the following Fulminant
or necrotizing colitis Toxic megacolon AmoebomaRecto vaginal
fistula

Complications of amoebic liver abscess include the following

Intraperitoneal, intrathoracic, or intrapericardial rupture, with or
without secondary bacterial infection Direct extension to pleura or
pericardiumDissemination and formation of brain abscess

Other complications due to amoebiasis include the following:

Bowel perforation Gastrointestinal bleeding Peritonitis Empyema
Thank you for
attention