Amoebic Dysentery

Amoebic Dysentery

1. Entamoeba histolytica

2. Poor sanitary conditions

   • Leads to ingestion of cysts (parasites) from:
     • Fecally contaminated
       • Food
       • Hands
       • Water

3. Tropical areas

   • Map of 'at risk' countries

4. Chain of infection

5. Infection

   • 10% - 20% of people actually become sick from exposure
     • Symptoms will develop between 2 - 4 weeks after exposure
       • Symptoms
         • Mild
           • Diarrhea
           • Stomach pain
           • Stomach cramps
         • Severe
           • When it manifests as Amoebic Dysentery
             • Stomach pain
             • Bloody stool
             • Fever
             • Occasionally:
               • E. histolytica enters the liver and creates an abcess
                 • Rupture of abscess usually causes shock and death
               • Even rarer:
                 • Can spread to the lungs and brain

6. Treatment

   • Metronidazole: Anti-Biotic
     • Inexpensive
     • Highly effective

7. Incidence

   • Much higher in developing countries
     • In Western countries Male Homo-Sexuals, Prisoners and Immigrants are most at risk

8. Prevelance

   • Estimated worldwide 35 - 50 Million annually
     • Estimated worldwide 100,000 deaths annually

Images and files in the map