Zoo143 Clinical Parasitology Topic: Parasites of Clinical Significance

Bongco, Natalie Gail T. Feb. 15,2013 Prof: Dr. Veloso

Entamoeba histolytica

Organism: Entamoeba histolytica

Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Protozoa

Phylum: Amoebozoa
Class: Archamoebae Order: Amoebida Genus: Entamoeba Common name: Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica
The protozoan Entamoeba histolytica is the cause of intestinal amebiasis and is asymptomatic. Clinical manifestations include amebic dysentery and extra intestinal disease. Approximately 40 to 50 million people worldwide develop colitis or extra intestinal disease annually with 40,000 deaths . There are two species of E. histolytica with identical morphologic characteristics: E. dispar, and E. Hands are the main route of transmission; arthropods can also be responsible of transmission.
Can be acquired when infective cysts are ingested through contaminated food or water. The cysts are resistant to environmental condition whereas, the trophozoite is the living form which is responsible of the diseases; Occasionally trophozoites might be transmitted during sexual intercourse.

Host

Mode of transmission: Pathology

Fecal-oral route
Infects the digestive tracts of predominantly humans and other primates.

Can be trasmitted by means of intercourse or fecallycontaminated water and food.

Signs and Symptoms

Diarrhea Abdominal pain, particularly cramping Common manifestation include bloating, nausea with or without vomiting, malaise, and fatigue.

Complications
Toxic megacolon, after wrong treatment with steroids
Acute fulminant colitis Peri-anal ulceration Stricture Intussusceptions Peritonitis

Diagnosis
Stool microscopy
ELISA RIA(Radio Immuno Assay)

Management
Preventive

Pharmacologic
For asymptomatic infections: iodoquinol, paromomycin, or diloxanide furoate can be used which will limit the spread of cysts.
For symptomatic intestinal disease, or extra intestinal, infections metronidazole or tinidazole would be the drug of choice should immediately followed by treatment with iodoquinol, paromomycin, or diloxanide furoate

References
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/intestinalentamoeba-histolytica-amebiasis
http://www.escmid.org/fileadmin/src/media/PDFs/4ES CMID_Library/4OLL/2010/SummerSchool/L09_Yilmaz _info.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entamoeba_histolytica https://www.msu.edu/course/zol/316/ehisgut.htm http://www.parasitesinhumans.org/entamoebahistolytica-amoebiasis.html