Amoebiasis, also known as amebiasis, is an infection caused by the protozoan parasite

Entamoeba histolytica. The parasite is commonly found in the human intestine and can cause
a range of symptoms, from mild diarrhea to severe colitis and liver abscesses.

The infection is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, meaning that it is spread through
contaminated food and water, or through contact with an infected person. The symptoms of
amoebiasis can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to appear after infection.

The most common symptoms of amoebiasis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight
loss. The diarrhea may be bloody, and there may be mucus and pus in the stool. Some people
may also experience fever, fatigue, and anemia. In severe cases, the parasite can invade the
intestinal wall and cause ulcerations, which can lead to bleeding and perforation of the
intestine.

Diagnosis of amoebiasis is typically made through the examination of a stool sample. There
are several methods that can be used to identify the presence of Entamoeba histolytica in a
stool sample, including:

1. Microscopy: A stool sample can be examined under a microscope to look for the
presence of trophozoites or cysts of E. histolytica. This method is relatively simple
and inexpensive, but it can be affected by the quality of the sample and the skill of the
technician.
2. Ova and parasite (O&P) examination: A stool sample can be examined for the
presence of E. histolytica using the Ova and Parasite examination, which is a standard
method used to detect parasitic infections.
3. Immunoassays: A stool sample can be analyzed using an immunoassay, which is a
test that detects specific antibodies or antigens of E. histolytica. This method can be
more sensitive and specific than microscopy, but it can be more expensive and
requires specialized equipment.
4. PCR: A stool sample can be analyzed using PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which
is a highly sensitive and specific method for detecting the DNA of E. histolytica. This
method is useful in detecting the presence of the parasite in low-density infections.
5. Serology: The detection of antibodies against E. histolytica can also be used as a
diagnostic method, but it is less specific than other methods.

It is important to note that a positive test result does not always indicate active infection, as
the presence of E. histolytica in the stool may be due to a past infection or asymptomatic
carriage. Therefore, a positive test result should be interpreted in conjunction with the
patient's clinical symptoms and other laboratory results.

In conclusion, diagnosis of amoebiasis is typically made through the examination of a stool

sample using methods such as microscopy, O&P examination, immunoassays, PCR, or
serology. These methods can detect the presence of E. histolytica in the stool, but they should
be interpreted in conjunction with the patient's clinical symptoms and other laboratory results.

Treatment for amoebiasis typically involves the use of antiparasitic medications, such as
metronidazole or tinidazole. These drugs work by killing the parasite and preventing it from
multiplying. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove abscesses or repair damaged
tissue.

Prevention of amoebiasis involves taking steps to avoid contact with contaminated food and
water, and practicing good hygiene. This includes washing hands frequently with soap and
water, especially after using the toilet and before handling food.

It's important to note that Entamoeba histolytica is not the only Amoeba that can be found in
the human intestine, there is also a non-pathogenic form called Entamoeba dispar. This form
doesn't cause any symptoms and doesn't require treatment. This is why laboratory diagnosis
is important.

In addition to the above, it's also important to note that amoebiasis can disproportionately
affect people living in low and middle-income countries and it is more common among
people with poor sanitation and hygiene.

In conclusion, amoebiasis is an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba

histolytica. The infection is transmitted through contaminated food and water, and can cause
a range of symptoms, from mild diarrhea to severe colitis and liver abscesses. It can be
diagnosed through laboratory tests and treated with antiparasitic medications. Preventing the
infection involves practicing good hygiene and avoiding contact with contaminated food and
water. It's a disease that disproportionately affects people living in low and middle-income
countries, and it's more common among people with poor sanitation and hygiene.

The life cycle of Entamoeba histolytica

The life cycle of Entamoeba histolytica is a complex process that involves multiple stages of
development. The life cycle begins when an individual ingests cysts of E. histolytica, which
can be found in contaminated water or food.

Once inside the body, the cysts travel to the large intestine and release trophozoites (the
infective form of the parasite). The trophozoites then attach to the mucosal lining of the
intestine and begin to proliferate. They can cause damage to the intestinal wall by releasing
enzymes that digest the host cells.

After several days, the trophozoites begin to differentiate into cysts. These cysts are then
passed out of the body in the feces, and can survive for several weeks in the environment.
They can infect new hosts when ingested.

The cysts have thick walls and are resistant to environmental conditions such as acid,
desiccation and heat. Once they reach the intestine, the cyst undergo excystation where the
cyst wall is broken and releases four infective trophozoites that are actively motile and can
attach to the intestinal wall.

The trophozoites reproduce through binary fission, a process of cell division, where the
parent cell divides into two identical daughter cells. These daughter cells then differentiate
back into cysts, which are then passed out of the body in the feces.

The life cycle of E. histolytica can be summarized in the following steps:

 1. Ingestion of cysts: The life cycle begins with the ingestion of cysts of E. histolytica,
which can be found in contaminated water or food.
2. Excystation: Once in the intestine, the cysts release trophozoites through excystation.
3. Proliferation: The trophozoites then attach to the mucosal lining of the intestine and
begin to proliferate.
4. Differentiation: After several days, the trophozoites differentiate into cysts.
5. Fecal-oral transmission: The cysts are passed out of the body in the feces and can
infect new hosts when ingested.
6. Binary fission: The trophozoites reproduce through binary fission, a process of cell
division, where the parent cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
7. Re-differentiation: The daughter cells then differentiate back into cysts, which are
then passed out of the body in the feces.

In summary, the life cycle of E. histolytica is a continuous cycle of ingestion, excystation,

proliferation, differentiation, fecal-oral transmission, binary fission and re-differentiation.

The pathogenesis of amoebiasis

The pathogenesis of amoebiasis is the process by which Entamoeba histolytica causes

infection and disease in the host. It is a multistep process that begins with the ingestion of
cysts of E. histolytica and ends with the development of symptoms and complications.

1. Ingestion of cysts: The infection process begins when an individual ingests cysts of E.
histolytica, which can be found in contaminated water or food. Once inside the body,
the cysts travel to the large intestine and release trophozoites (the infective form of the
parasite).
2. Attachment and proliferation: The trophozoites then attach to the mucosal lining of
the intestine and begin to proliferate. They can cause damage to the intestinal wall by
releasing enzymes that digest the host cells. This can lead to symptoms such as
diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
3. Invasiveness: In some cases, the trophozoites can also invade deeper layers of the
intestinal wall and cause ulcerations or abscesses. This is due to the ability of the
parasite to produce a cytotoxin which is responsible for the invasion and damage of
the host cells.
4. Spread to other organs: If the infection spreads to the liver, it can cause abscesses or
granulomas. These can lead to symptoms such as fever, jaundice, and right upper
quadrant pain. In rare cases, the infection can also spread to the lungs, causing
symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
5. Immune response: The host's immune response to the infection plays a role in the
pathogenesis of amoebiasis. The host immune system produces antibodies and white
blood cells to try to eliminate the parasite, but the parasite has the ability to evade the
immune response and survive inside the host cells.
6. Complications: The complications of amoebiasis can include perforation of the
intestine, peritonitis, fistulas, abscesses, and granulomas. These complications can be
life-threatening and require prompt medical attention.

In conclusion, the pathogenesis of amoebiasis is a complex process that involves the

attachment, proliferation, invasiveness, and spread of E. histolytica in the host. The host's
immune response plays a role in the development of the infection, but the parasite has the
ability to evade the immune response and survive inside the host cells. Complications of
amoebiasis can be severe and life-threatening, and prompt medical attention is necessary for
treatment and recovery.