Amoebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica infection remains an important parasitic disease with an estimated annual mortality of 100, 000 cases globally. Amoebalsis is caused by ingestion of the cysts of E. histolytica. After excystation in the small intestine, trophozoites of E. histolytica may cause invasive infections, such as colitis and abscesses of the liver, lung, or other organs, though most individuals infected with E. histolytica are asymptomatic. People at risk for amoebiasis Include residents in the institutions for mentally III, recent travel or residence in endemic regions, immigrants from endemic regions, and men who have sex with men. Correct diagnosis of amoebiasis requires use of specific and sensitive tools such as specific antigen assays or polymerase-chain-reaction assays because microscopy cannot differentiate E. histolytica from E. dispar or E. moshikovskii, the later two being non-pathogenic. Nitroimidazoles, such as metronidazole and tlnidazole remain the main treatment of choice for E. histolytica infection. To eliminate intestinal colonization of E. histolytica with subsequent recurrences or onward transmission, treatment of luminal agents, such as diloxanide furoate, paromomycin, or Iodoquinol (diiodohydroxyquin) are needed. ? 2018 Society of Internal Medicine of Taiwan. All rights reserved.