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This article aims at the definition and explanation of Amoebiasis.There will be a detailed and illustrative explanation on the life cycle of Amoebiasis. Moreover, this article will emphasize on the Causes of Amoebiasis, Symptoms, Amoebiasis Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention.
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Keyterms: Amoebiasis, Amoebic Dysentery, Microorganism, Entamoeba histolytica, Protozoan, Unicellular Microscopic parasite, Intestine, Tissue
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Define Amoebiasis
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Amoebiasis is an Intestinal Infection and is also known as amoebic Dysentery. It is caused by the Microorganism - Entamoeba histolytica and is a Protozoan Disorder. Entamoeba Histolytica is a Unicellular Microscopic parasite that can cause death of intestinal Tissues after infecting animals as well as humans. It's Vector is a Housefly that helps in spreading this Disease too fast. It also gets spread through contaminated food & water.This Disease is spread all over the world and is most common in Developing Countries and Tropical Areas where Sanitation and Hygiene Condition is very poor. The incubation period for Amoebiasis is 2-4 weeks. It can also reach the liver and brain and may cause Death only in rare and complex cases, generally it is Cured.
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Explanation of Amoebiasis
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Dysentery is an inflammation in the intestine. Which is also responsible for the meaning of amoebiasis that is infection by amoebas that mostly causes dysentery. Symptoms of this disease include constipation, abdominal pain and cramps, stools with excess mucus and blood clots. Vectors such as Cockroaches, House Flies etc serve to transmit the parasite from faeces of infected people to food and food products, making them contaminated. The main source of infection is the drinking water and food contaminated by the faecal matter.
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Amoebiasis Life Cycle as a Parasite
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Entamoeba histolytica cycle through two life stages:
- The cyst, which can survive in harsh environments as well as in the human stomach and small intestine; it is the cyst form that transmits the disease.
- The trophozoite involved in the infection of the host.
Entamoeba histolytica needs a host body to start its Life Cycle and Infection begins through fecal-oral contamination. Initially, a person ingests fecally contaminated food or water that contains the E. histolytica Cysts. After that these go through the stomach and small intestine (trophozoite ingested from the acidic gastric juice at stomach) and to the bowel lumen, where they excyst (take help of enzyme trypsin). Entamoeba histolytica can survive as cysts for months in water or soil and even the Harsh Climate or in the Stomach. However, it must be noted that only after entering the small intestine, these cysts release their active form called trophozoites. After that these parasites start reproducing and migrating towards the large intestine. The trophozoites stay into the colon or intestine wall, that can cause colitis, bloody diarrhoea, etc. At the final stage, the cysts come back to the environment through the faces of infected animals or humans and the cycle continues.
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Causes of Amoebiasis
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We now already know the cause of amoebiasis is a unicellular parasite called entamoeba histolytica. Some protozoan species in the genus Entamoeba colonize humans, but not all are linked with disease. It exists in two types - vegetative (trophozoite) and cystic forms (cyst). Trophozoites increase and encyst in the colon.The cysts are excreted in stool and are responsible to infect the humans. Cysts can stay viable and infective for many days in faeces, water, soil, sewage and harsh climate . Today, only about 10% to 20% of people who are infected with E. histolytica become sick from the infection.
There are several ways through which amoebiasis can be transmitted in human bodies.
- Amoebiasis disease is mostly found in developing countries and people with poor sanitation and unhygienic conditions are majorly affected by this.
- Through the faeces of infected people either by person-to-person contact or by eating or drinking faecally contaminated food or water. Parasites start multiplying in the intestine.
- By oral-anal sexual contact, particularly in homosexual males this infection is witnessed in majority.
- The insects like cockroaches, flies, etc. are also responsible for transmitting amoebiasis disease.
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Symptoms of Amoebiasis
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After 1-4 weeks of ingestion of cysts, symptoms can be witnessed. This time period is known as the incubation period of the Amoebiasis. Infected individuals can have mild, moderate, severe or even no symptoms at all.
- Dysentery
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea with mucus or blood
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Occasional fever
- Chills
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Amoebiasis Diagnosis
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Entamoeba histolytica is to be differentiated from other intestinal protozoa. Common method for diagnosing E. histolytica is by microscopic examination of the stools of infected individuals. Differentiation of the cysts and trophozoites are based on morphological characteristics.
By screening faeces for some days, if cysts are present or not can be confirmed under a microscope. A liver function test is performed to check whether the amoeba did any damage to the liver. In the case of amoebic liver abscess, the fluid from liver abscess is required to be examined. By penetrating a needle through the skin, the lesion fluid can be drawn out and a report is made. A lesion in the liver is a complex case of amoebiasis. E. histolytica trophozoites is also diagnosed in aspirates or biopsy samples taken while colonoscopy or surgery.
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Treatment of Amoebiasis
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Those who have symptoms of amoebiasis are treated by a systemically-active drug called metronidazole. A treatment of luminal amoebicide is also required to kill any living organisms inside the colon. For treating luminal infection, Paromomycin medicine is used. Asymptomatic patients are given luminal amoebicide for bringing down the risk of transmission.
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Prevention or How To Control Amoebiasis
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Amoebiasis can be prevented by following these measures-
- Cleaning or Washing eatables like Vegetables and fruits properly.
- Peel the fruits and boil vegetables before eating.
- Avoid fecal contamination of the environment by using the closed latrines.
- Boil water where at 55°C, E. histolytica cysts are killed.
- Improving the quality of drinking water at home by filtration. Using bottled water while outside. Not eating foods from unhygienic places and street vendors.
- Avoiding fountain drinks and ice cubes.
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Sample Questions
Ques: How does amoebiasis get spread and how do people get this disease? (2 marks)
Ans: The Amoebiasis spreads by infected people when they do not dispose of their feces in a sanitary manner or do not clean their hands properly after using the toilet. Housefly and the Contaminated hands can then spread the parasites to food eaten by other people and surfaces that may be touched by other people. When changing the diapers of an infected infant our hands can also become contaminated. This disease can also be infected sexually by oral-anal contact.
Ques: What if I have amoebiasis? What do I do ? (1 mark)
Ans: You should go to Doctor if persistent diarrhea occurs. To trace the cause of the illness, You have to recall what you ate and drank and where you traveled in the weeks before you became ill.
Ques: How is amoebiasis cured? (1 mark)
Ans: A doctor can prescribe some antibiotics, such as metronidazole or tinidazole, to cure Amoebiasis. Other treatments can be required to eliminate the cysts.
Ques: How long can it take to cure amoebiasis? (1 mark)
Ans: Amoebiasis can be cured within 2-3 weeks if there is a proper medication.
Ques: How can amoebiasis be treated? (1 mark)
Ans: Those who have symptoms of amoebiasis are treated by a systemically-active drug called metronidazole. A treatment of luminal amoebicide is also required to kill any living organisms inside the colon. For treating luminal infection, Paromomycin medicine is used. Asymptomatic patients are given luminal amoebicide for bringing down the risk of transmission.
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