Amoebiasis is a parasitic infection that mainly affects the intestines. Since it is a parasitic infection, it primarily causes symptoms such as diarrhoea. Amoebiasis is caused by consuming food or water contaminated with Entamoeba histolytica. If left untreated, it may even lead to severe complications and death.
This blog aims to provide an overview of amoebiasis symptoms, causes, and some treatment options.
Amoebiasis is caused by a protozoan parasite called Entamoeba Histolytica. This organism enters the human body through contaminated food or water. When this organism enters the human body, it invades the intestinal lining, which leads to amoebic dysentery.
If left untreated, it may lead to some severe complications and in some cases, death. It is mainly common in tropical countries with underdeveloped sanitary facilities. Poor sanitation means people do not have access to clean places to have a bowel movement, urinate, or dispose of household wastewater.
It also means a lack of access to clean water to wash hands. It mainly spreads through contact with faeces (poop or stool).
You are more likely to develop this condition if you:
Some people infected with this parasite do not experience any symptoms at all. However, others may experience symptoms such as severe cramping, loose stool, and stomach pain.
Most people infected with amoebiasis experience no symptoms at all. About 10 to 20% of people who have contracted this disease show symptoms.
Symptoms, if any, generally show up four weeks after infection. They mainly include the following:
Apart from the symptoms above, the trophozoites may breach the intestinal walls and enter the bloodstream. This parasite may travel to various body parts through the bloodstream. However, they commonly end up in the liver, heart, lungs, and brain. If the trophozoites invade an internal organ, it may cause:
If the parasite invades the intestinal lining, it may cause amoebic dysentery, which is a more dangerous form of amoebiasis. It leads to frequent watery and bloody stools and intense stomach cramps.
As mentioned earlier, the parasite E. histolytica is responsible for the outbreak of amoebiasis. It is a microorganism that resides within the human body and obtains its nutrients from it. Later on, when this parasite lays eggs, they develop as cysts within the body.
A person experiencing amoebiasis normally passes stool that contains the cysts. If another person accidentally comes in contact with even a small amount of this stool, they may also develop amoebiasis.
Normally, amoebiasis is spread by:
Consuming Contaminated Food or Water
Poor Hygiene and Sanitation
Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
Contact With Infected Individuals
Moving in Areas With High Infection Rates
Contaminated Soil
There are several methods through which healthcare professionals diagnose amoebiasis. Let us discuss them below:
Methods such as stool microscopy and stool antigen tests diagnose the infection. In stool microscopy, the laboratory tests three different stool samples for E. histolytica.
On the other hand, stool antigen tests identify E. histolytica proteins in your stools.
A blood test detects traces of the parasite in your blood. However, it will only show it after a week of being infected. Also, the blood test remains positive years after infection.
When your infection spreads to the liver and causes a liver abscess, an ultrasound can detect its presence.
If you consistently experience bloody diarrhoea, a colonoscopy might help detect the parasitic infection. Doctors use this method when other tests do not yield any results.
In this, doctors take a tissue sample from your colon and examine it under a microscope to detect any living organisms.
Common amoebiasis medications include Metronidazole or tinidazole. They are a form of antibiotic and are a prevalent first-line treatment.
Other than that, doctors also administer luminal amoebicides such as iodoquinol to treat this infection. These medications are designed specifically to kill amoebae.
If medicines do not work, experts may use surgery to treat amoebiasis.
By practising caution in what you eat and drink, you can significantly lower your chance of getting amoebiasis. Here are some prevention techniques:
As a developing nation with inadequate sanitation facilities, India exhibits a high incidence of amoebiasis. This is due to several factors, such as lack of access to clean drinking water, overcrowded urban settings, development of unhygienic slum areas, and improper sewage treatment.
In light of the above factors, researchers conducted a comprehensive systematic review to ascertain the nationwide prevalence and geographic distribution of amoebiasis in India. According to this study, 3-23% of people had asymptomatic amoebiasis and 0.6411% showcased symptomatic amoebiasis.
The study also reported the complications accompanying amoebiasis, such as amoebic liver abscess, ameboma, and colonic perforation, which lead to increased healthcare burden and mortality rates.
Therefore, India needs improved diagnostic methods and sanitation facilities to curb amoebiasis infection. By focusing on hygiene awareness, we can help provide better care and stop the spread of this infection.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what amoebiasis is caused by and its treatment options can significantly reduce the risk of delayed diagnosis and further complications. This infection can be controlled by spreading awareness and by practising proper hygiene.
In a country like India, where there is a lack of adequate sanitation facilities, public awareness is essential to control it. If you suspect to have contracted the parasite, you should approach a healthcare professional for proper treatment.