Amebic dysentery
Amebic dysentery is a treatable intestinal illness caused by the parasitic protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. It is characterized by symptoms such as stomach pain, bloody stools, fever, nausea, and weight loss. Individuals can contract the disease through contaminated food or water, or by touching surfaces contaminated with the parasite and then bringing those cysts to their mouths. Certain factors increase the risk of developing amebic dysentery, including living in or traveling to areas with poor sanitation, as well as engaging in specific sexual practices. Diagnosis typically involves stool samples and blood tests, and various antibiotics are available for treatment. Prevention is key, especially when traveling to regions with inadequate sanitary conditions, which includes drinking bottled or boiled water and avoiding foods that may have been handled by others. Awareness of these factors can help mitigate the risk of infection.
Amebic dysentery
- ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: Gastrointestinal system, intestines, stomach
- ALSO KNOWN AS: Amebiasis
Definition
Amebic dysentery is a treatable intestinal illness associated with stomach pain, bloody stools, and fever.
Causes
Amebic dysentery is caused by the parasitic protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. A person can develop amebic dysentery by placing something in his or her mouth that has touched the stool of a person infected with E. histolytica, by swallowing water or food that has been contaminated with E. histolytica, and by touching cysts (eggs) from E. histolytica-contaminated surfaces and bringing those cysts to the mouth.
Risk Factors
The risk factors that increase the chance of developing amebic dysentery include living in or traveling to developing countries, places that have poor sanitary conditions, or tropical or subtropical areas; living in institutions; and having anal intercourse.
Symptoms
The symptoms of amebic dysentery include loose stools, nausea, weight loss, stomach pain, stomach cramping, bloody stools, fever, and (rarely) liver abscesses.
Screening and Diagnosis
Tests for amebic dysentery include stool samples and blood tests. Experts may also order colonoscopies, blood tests, or ultrasounds.
Treatment and Therapy
Several antibiotics are available to treat amebic dysentery.
Prevention and Outcomes
To help reduce the chance of getting amebic dysentery, one should take the following steps when traveling to a country that has poor sanitation: Drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled for a minimum of one minute; avoid eating fresh fruit or vegetables that have been peeled by another person; avoid eating or drinking unpasteurized milk, cheese, or dairy products; and avoid eating or drinking items sold by street vendors.
Key Terms
- ColitisInflammation of the large intestine (colon), which is usually associated with bloody diarrhea and fever
- DiarrheaLoose or watery stools, usually a decrease in consistency or increase in frequency from an individual baseline
- IntestinesThe tube connecting the stomach and anus in which nutrients are absorbed from food; divided into the small intestine and the colon, or large intestine
- MucosaThe semipermeable layers of cells lining the gut, through which fluid and nutrients are absorbed
- PeristalsisThe wavelike muscular contractions that move food and waste products through the intestines; problems with peristalsis are called motility disorders
- StoolThe waste products expelled from the body through the anus during defecation; feces
Bibliography
"Amebiasis (Amoebic Dysentery)." Cleveland Clinic, 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23531-amoebic-dysentery. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
DuPont, Herbert L., and Charles D. Ericsson. “Drug Therapy: Prevention and Treatment of Travelers’ Diarrhea.” New England Journal of Medicine 328 (June 24, 1993): 1821-1826.
“Infectious Diarrheal Diseases and Bacterial Food Poisoning.” In Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, edited by Joan Butterton. 17th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008.
Johnson, Leonard R., ed. Gastrointestinal Physiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Mosby/Elsevier, 2007.