Entamoeba histolytica
Amebiasis is an infection caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
Like giardiasis, amebiasis begins with the ingestion of food or water contaminated by feces from an infected person. The parasite passes through your stomach and small intestine and into the bowel. It can also pass from the bowel to your liver and cause an amebic liver abscess.1
You can become infected if you ingest something that has been contaminated with E. histolytica organisms.2 For example, you could get sick if you:
- Swallow food or water that contains E. histolytica parasites
- Put something in your mouth after touching a surface contaminated by feces from an infected person
Amebiasis risk factors
Certain people may be at a higher risk for getting amebiasis.3,4 These include:
- Travelers who recently visited tropical regions of the world
- Immigrants from areas where the disease is common
- Men who have sex with men
If you're concerned about the risk factors for amebiasis or you're suffering from any symptoms, talk to your doctor. He or she can determine whether you have the infection and prescribe the necessary treatment.
- Salles JM, Moraes LA, Salles MC. Hepatic amebiasis. Braz J Infect Dis. 2003 Apr;7(2):96-110. Epub 2003 Nov 19.
- Amebiasis [Internet]. CDC; 2004 Jan [accessed 2008 Jul 10]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/amebiasis/factsht_amebiasis.htm
- van Hal SJ, Stark DJ, Fotedar R, Marriott D, Ellis JT, Harkness JL. Amoebiasis: current status in Australia. Med J Aust. 2007 Apr 16;186(8):412-6.
- Amebiasis [Internet]. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia; 2006 Aug 15 [accessed 2008 Jul 15]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000298.htm
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