Entamoeba histolytica infection

Generalized angioedema occurred in a patient taking difetarsone 500 mg tds for Entamoeba histolytica infection (SEDA-11, 597) (2). 

Bacteria are likely precipitants in many other cases including Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, Shigella species, Vibrio cholerae, and Clostridium difficile. The term dysentery has often been used to describe some of these bacterial infections when associated with serious occurrences of bloody diarrhea. Additionally, acute diarrheal conditions can be prompted by parasites-protozoa such as Entamoeba histolytica, Microsporidium, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium parvum. Most of these infectious agents can be causes of traveler s diarrhea, a common malady alflicting travelers worldwide. It usually occurs during or just after travel subsequent to the ingestion of fecally-contaminated food or water. It has an abrupt onset but usually subsides within 2 to 3 days. 

The protozoan Entamoeba histolytica causes amebiasis, an infection that is endemic in parts of the United States. The parasite can be present in the host as either an encysted or a trophozoite form. Initial ingestion of the cyst may result either in no symptoms or in severe amebic dysentery characterized by the frequent passage of bloodstained stools. The latter symptom occurs after invasion of the intestinal mucosa by the actively motile and phagocytic trophozoite form of the protozoan. 

Amoebiasis is an infectious disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica. It can cause asymptomatic intestinal infection, colitis (mild to moderate), dysentery (severe intestinal infection), ameboma, liver abscess etc. The drugs used in chemotherapy of amoebiasis are classified as in table 9.9.1. 

It is a nitroimidazole. It has a broad spectrum of protozoal and antimicrobial activity. It shows antibacterial action against all anaerobic cocci, anaerobic gram negative bacilli including bacteroides species and anaerobic spore forming gram positive bacilli. It is very effective in infections due to Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomoniasis. It also causes radio-sensitization. 

Amebiasis is infection with Entamoeba histolytica. This organism can cause asymptomatic intestinal infection, mild to moderate colitis, severe intestinal infection (dysentery), ameboma, liver abscess, and other extraintestinal infections. The choice of drugs for amebiasis depends on the clinical presentation (Table 52-5). 

Amoebiasis. Infection of the gut (amoebic dysentery) or liver (amoebic hepatitis) by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. 

Amebiasis is an infection of the large intestine produced by Entamoeba histolytica that causes symptoms that range from mild diarrhea to fulminant dysentery. Therapy includes treating the asymptomatic carrier of the cysts, as well as the acute amebic dysentery, and the amebic hepatitis and abscess in the symptomatic patient. 

Amebiasis refers to the infection caused by entamoeba histolytica and is estimated to cause about 70,000 deaths per year worldwide [73]. It is a gastrointestinal infection that may or may not be symptomatic and can remain latent in an infected... 

Amebiasis (also called amebic dysentery) is an infection of the intestinal tract caused by Entamoeba histolytica. The disease can be acute or chronic with patients showing varying degrees of illness, from no symptoms to mild diarrhea to fulminating dysentery. Diagnosis is made by isolating E, histolytica in fresh feces. Therapy is aimed not only at the acutely ill patient but also at those who are asymptomatic carriers since dormant E. histolytica may cause future infections in the carrier and may be a potential source of infection of others. 

Ravdin JI, Murphy CF, Guerrant RL, Long-Krug SA Effect of antagonists of calcium and phospholipase A on the cytopathogenicity of Entamoeba histolytica. J Infect Dis 1985 152 542-549. 

Amoebiasis (Entamoeba histolytica), including both intestinal and extra-intestinal infection... 

Isolated reports of Candida esophagitis or Pneumocystis proved Pneumocystis carinii) infections in immunocompetent patients and the possible decrease in CD4-I- T cells with or without opportunistic infections in several HIV-infected patients (SED-13,1097) (379) suggest that unexpected immunosuppressive effects of interferon alfa can occur. An autoimmune destruction of CD4 cells in patients with a particular HLA haplotype has been proposed as a possible mechanism (380). One patient also had an acute and fatal acute precipitation of infection with Entamoeba histolytica (SEDA-22, 403). However, the available evidence is still very limited and no firm conclusion can be drawn on a possible association between interferon alfa treatment and a fall in CD4 cell count or an immunosuppressive effect. 

Garlic has in vitro activity against Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Leishmania major, Leptomonas colsoma, and Crithidia fasciculate (40,47). In vivo and clinical data is needed before garlic can be used for treatment of infections with these organisms. 

Ghadirian E, Somerfield SD, Kongshavn PA Susceptibility of Entamoeba Histolytica to Oxidants. Infect. Immun. 1985 51 (1) 263-7. 

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