Amebic Dysentery

Amebic dysentery is caused by Entamoeba histolytica parasitizing the colon, often called intestinal amebiasis or amebic colitis. It can also extend to other organs or directly spread to adjacent tissues, especially the liver, forming abscesses. The incubation period is generally 1 to 2 weeks, can be as short as 4 days or as long as over 1 year.

Common Symptoms

Abnormal stool; intestinal perforation; chocolate-colored sputum; diarrhea; intestinal bleeding; tenesmus; abdominal pain; mucoid stool; fatigue; low fever

Causes and Pathogenesis

E. histolytica has trophozoite and cyst stages. Trophozoites were previously divided into small and large forms; the former live in the intestinal lumen as luminal commensal trophozoites, and under certain factors can invade the intestinal wall, phagocytose red blood cells, and become tissue-form trophozoites. Recent molecular taxonomy has confirmed that the two strains have distinct genotypes and phenotypes; therefore, most trophozoites in the intestinal lumen are E. dispar trophozoites, commensals that do not invade the wall, while E. histolytica trophozoites are invasive regardless of size. Food or drinking water contaminated by cysts leads to ingestion; in the lower small intestine, trophozoites excyst and descend with feces, parasitizing the cecum, colon, and rectal lumen, feeding on luminal bacteria and superficial epithelial cells. Under various factors, trophozoites invade the mucosa and cause ulcers, progressing to dysentery when reaching a certain extent.

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Boiling, filtering, and disinfecting drinking water, avoiding raw vegetables and food contamination, proper feces disposal, and preventing fly breeding are important measures. Examining and treating cyst passers and chronic patients in the food industry is critical. For home food hygiene, do not leave food overnight; hot weather easily spoils food and promotes bacterial growth. Open fruits such as watermelon should be eaten promptly or sealed with plastic wrap and refrigerated for no more than 24 hours. When traveling, bring food and water when possible, or eat at regular or designated restaurants; raw salads should be washed, blanched with boiling water, and seasoned with vinegar, ginger, and garlic, or avoided.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Gastroenterology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.