Amoebiasis: Difference between revisions

Invasion of the intestinal lining causes [[amoebic dysentery|amoebic bloody diarrhea]] or [[amoebic colitis]].<ref name="Mansons">{{Cite book|title = Manson's Tropical Diseases|url = |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences|date = 2013-10-26|isbn = 9780702053061|first = Jeremy|last = Farrar|first2 = Peter|last2 = Hotez|first3 = Thomas|last3 = Junghanss|first4 = Gagandeep|last4 = Kang|first5 = David|last5 = Lalloo|first6 = Nicholas J.|last6 = White}}</ref> If the parasite reaches the bloodstream it can spread through the body, most frequently ending up in the liver where it causes [[amoebic liver abscesses]].<ref name="Mansons">{{Cite book|title = Manson's Tropical Diseases|url = |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences|date = 2013-10-26|isbn = 9780702053061|first = Jeremy|last = Farrar|first2 = Peter|last2 = Hotez|first3 = Thomas|last3 = Junghanss|first4 = Gagandeep|last4 = Kang|first5 = David|last5 = Lalloo|first6 = Nicholas J.|last6 = White}}</ref> [[Liver]] abscesses can occur without previous diarrhea.<ref name="Mansons">{{Cite book|title = Manson's Tropical Diseases|url = |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences|date = 2013-10-26|isbn = 9780702053061|first = Jeremy|last = Farrar|first2 = Peter|last2 = Hotez|first3 = Thomas|last3 = Junghanss|first4 = Gagandeep|last4 = Kang|first5 = David|last5 = Lalloo|first6 = Nicholas J.|last6 = White}}</ref> Cysts of ''entamoebaEntamoeba'' can survive for up to a month in soil or for up to 45 minutes under fingernails.<ref name="Mansons">{{Cite book|title = Manson's Tropical Diseases|url = |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences|date = 2013-10-26|isbn = 9780702053061|first = Jeremy|last = Farrar|first2 = Peter|last2 = Hotez|first3 = Thomas|last3 = Junghanss|first4 = Gagandeep|last4 = Kang|first5 = David|last5 = Lalloo|first6 = Nicholas J.|last6 = White}}</ref> It is important to differentiate between amoebiasis and [[bacterial colitis]].<ref name="Mansons">{{Cite book|title = Manson's Tropical Diseases|url = |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences|date = 2013-10-26|isbn = 9780702053061|first = Jeremy|last = Farrar|first2 = Peter|last2 = Hotez|first3 = Thomas|last3 = Junghanss|first4 = Gagandeep|last4 = Kang|first5 = David|last5 = Lalloo|first6 = Nicholas J.|last6 = White}}</ref> The preferred diagnostic method it through faecal examination under microscope, but requires a skilled microscopist and may not be reliable when excluding infection.<ref name="Mansons">{{Cite book|title = Manson's Tropical Diseases|url = |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences|date = 2013-10-26|isbn = 9780702053061|first = Jeremy|last = Farrar|first2 = Peter|last2 = Hotez|first3 = Thomas|last3 = Junghanss|first4 = Gagandeep|last4 = Kang|first5 = David|last5 = Lalloo|first6 = Nicholas J.|last6 = White}}</ref> [[Leukocytosis|Increased white blood cell count]] is present in severe cases, but not in mild ones. The most accurate test is for [[serology|antibodies in the blood]], but it may remain positive following treatment.<ref name="Mansons">{{Cite book|title = Manson's Tropical Diseases|url = |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences|date = 2013-10-26|isbn = 9780702053061|first = Jeremy|last = Farrar|first2 = Peter|last2 = Hotez|first3 = Thomas|last3 = Junghanss|first4 = Gagandeep|last4 = Kang|first5 = David|last5 = Lalloo|first6 = Nicholas J.|last6 = White}}</ref>