Amoebiasis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Amoebiasis is an influence caused by the parasites entamoeba histolytica. People living or travelling in developing countries are most at risk from the disease, which occurs when something infected with the parasite is eaten or swallowed.

The disease can progress to amoebic dysentery in the wide, lower part of the intestine and may spread to cause severe damage to the intestine. Amoebic abscesses may form in the liver, lungs, and brain and elsewhere in the body.

Around one in ten people who are infected with amoebiasis become ill from the disease.

Causes of Amoebiasis

Amoebiasis is caused by a single-cell parasite called entamoeba histolytica. The parasite burrows into the wall of the intestine to cause small abscesses and ulcers. From there they enter the veins of the intestine and are carried to the liver. If enough of them reach the liver, they may cause large abscesses full of chocolate-brown or yellow pus consisting of broken-down liver tissue.

Amoebiasis is more likely to affect people who live or have travelled in developing countries, where sanitation and hygiene is poor. It occurs when a person eats or swallows something that has been infected with the entamoeba histolytica parasite. It is especially common in parts of the world where human excrement is used as fertiliser.

Amoebic dysentery can also be spread by anal sex or directly from person to person when personal hygiene is poor. Infection is most commonly caused by:

Eating or swallowing anything that has touched the stool of a person who is infected with entamoeba histolytica.

Swallowing something, such as water or food, that is contaminated with entamoeba histolytica.

Touching, and bringing to your mouth, cysts (eggs) picked up from surfaces that are contaminated with entamoeba histolytica.

Prevention

Amoebiasis can be prevented by good hygiene and sanitary conditions. This is taken for granted in most of the western world, but is an enormous challenge for people living in poor conditions in developing countries, where there is poor or no access to fresh water and disinfectant.

If you are traveling to a country that has a high risk of contamination by the entamoeba histolytica parasite:

Only drink waters that is bottled, or boiled (for 10 minute), or carbonated (bubbly) drinks from sealed cans or bottles.

Do not drink from public water fountains.

Make water safe by filtering it through an "absolute 1 micron or less" filter and dissolving iodine tablets in the filtered water. Absolute 1-micron filters can be found in camping/outdoor supply stores.

Do not eat fresh fruit or vegetables that you did not peel yourself.

Do not eat or drink milk, cheese, or dairy products that may not have been pasteurised.

Do not eat or drink anything sold by street vendors, (except sealed bottled or canned drinks).

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Amoebiasis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Symptoms of Amoebiasis

Causes of Amoebiasis

Treatment for Amoebiasis

Prevention