The Entamoeba histolytica protozoan causes amebiasis, a parasitic infection that is contracted through the fecal-oral route. The manifestations of the illness might range from the patient being asymptomatic to him/her suffering from various complications associated with liver abscesses. An amebic liver abscess is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of amebiasis.
Individuals between the ages of 18-50 are the most commonly affected, especially men. Africa, Mexico, South and Central America, and India are regions with a high incidence of amebic infection. There may be fever and abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant in approximately 80% of patients, with gastrointestinal symptoms in 10% to 35% of cases.
An amebic abscess diagnosis is confirmed after studying clinical symptoms and assessing relevant epidemiology, and through performing serological tests and radiographic studies. An optimal treatment involves metronidazole followed by luminal drugs such as paromomycin. Therapeutic aspiration is rarely indicated.
Epidemiology
The incidence of amebic liver abscess is uncommon in infants and 10 times more prevalent in males than in women between the ages of 18 and 50. It is unclear why such a remarkable disparity exists, although it is believed that hormonal impacts and alcohol use play a significant role.
In the US, the majority of cases are found among immigrants from endemic regions and residents of the states neighboring Mexico. Africa, Mexico, India and portions of South and Central America are among the global regions with the highest infection rates.
Most patients are infected through consuming contaminated water of food, and additionally oral and anal intercourse, particularly between actively homosexual males is another mode of transmission.
Intestinal amebiasis can cause liver abscesses in 2% to 5% of patients. As this organism is found worldwide, it poses a significant threat in nations lacking appropriate sanitation of municipal water supply.
Anatomy
Pathophysiology
The Entameba Histolytica life cycle was explained for the first time in 1928 by Clifford Dobell. The organism has two life stages: the cystic stage, which is infectious, and the trophozoite stage, which causes invasive illness. Upon consumption of infected water and food, the illness begins with the ingestion of E. histolytica’s quadrinucleate cyst.
Following excystation in the small intestine lumen, motile, potentially invasive trophozoites are produced. In the majority of infections, trophozoites generate new cysts and are restricted to the mucus layer of the intestine. In other instances, trophozoites stick to and lyse the colonic epithelium, resulting in colon invasion.
Neutrophils respond, causing more cellular damage at the site of invasion. Once the trophozoites have invaded the colonic epithelium, they can move to extraintestinal locations like the liver and peritoneum. The bacterium induces hepatic inflammation followed by necrosis, leading to the formation of an abscess.
Etiology
Amoebic colitis is frequently caused by Entamoeba histolytica. This amoeba is responsible for approximately 40 million illnesses and up to 100,000 deaths annually.
It is nonpathogenic and can manifest as an asymptomatic carrier, unlike E. despar, which also infections people in the same manner, through the feces-oral route.
Humans are infected by numerous Entamoeba species, including E. despar and E. moshkovskii, but E. histolytica is the only species which causes amebiasis. The only natural hosts for E. histolytica are humans and primates which aren’t humans.
Genetics
Prognostic Factors
Prognosis is favorable for both simple and complex abscesses when diagnosed and treated early. Simple abscesses are easily treated, but complex abscesses are associated with a high fatality rate.
Clinical History
Physical Examination
Age group
Associated comorbidity
Associated activity
Acuity of presentation
Differential Diagnoses
Laboratory Studies
Imaging Studies
Procedures
Histologic Findings
Staging
Treatment Paradigm
by Stage
by Modality
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Surgical Interventions
Hormone Therapy
Immunotherapy
Hyperthermia
Photodynamic Therapy
Stem Cell Transplant
Targeted Therapy
Palliative Care
Medication
Future Trends
Media Gallary
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430832/
News
Vaping’s ‘95% Safer’ Claim Debated for Youth Health
Posted on
News
Google DeepMind’s AI Revolutionizes the Search for Disease Genes
Posted on
News
Mosquitoes Pose New Challenge to Public Health
Posted on
News
3D-Printed e3-skin Redefines Wearable Health Monitoring
The Entamoeba histolytica protozoan causes amebiasis, a parasitic infection that is contracted through the fecal-oral route. The manifestations of the illness might range from the patient being asymptomatic to him/her suffering from various complications associated with liver abscesses. An amebic liver abscess is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of amebiasis.
Individuals between the ages of 18-50 are the most commonly affected, especially men. Africa, Mexico, South and Central America, and India are regions with a high incidence of amebic infection. There may be fever and abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant in approximately 80% of patients, with gastrointestinal symptoms in 10% to 35% of cases.
An amebic abscess diagnosis is confirmed after studying clinical symptoms and assessing relevant epidemiology, and through performing serological tests and radiographic studies. An optimal treatment involves metronidazole followed by luminal drugs such as paromomycin. Therapeutic aspiration is rarely indicated.
The incidence of amebic liver abscess is uncommon in infants and 10 times more prevalent in males than in women between the ages of 18 and 50. It is unclear why such a remarkable disparity exists, although it is believed that hormonal impacts and alcohol use play a significant role.
In the US, the majority of cases are found among immigrants from endemic regions and residents of the states neighboring Mexico. Africa, Mexico, India and portions of South and Central America are among the global regions with the highest infection rates.
Most patients are infected through consuming contaminated water of food, and additionally oral and anal intercourse, particularly between actively homosexual males is another mode of transmission.
Intestinal amebiasis can cause liver abscesses in 2% to 5% of patients. As this organism is found worldwide, it poses a significant threat in nations lacking appropriate sanitation of municipal water supply.
The Entameba Histolytica life cycle was explained for the first time in 1928 by Clifford Dobell. The organism has two life stages: the cystic stage, which is infectious, and the trophozoite stage, which causes invasive illness. Upon consumption of infected water and food, the illness begins with the ingestion of E. histolytica’s quadrinucleate cyst.
Following excystation in the small intestine lumen, motile, potentially invasive trophozoites are produced. In the majority of infections, trophozoites generate new cysts and are restricted to the mucus layer of the intestine. In other instances, trophozoites stick to and lyse the colonic epithelium, resulting in colon invasion.
Neutrophils respond, causing more cellular damage at the site of invasion. Once the trophozoites have invaded the colonic epithelium, they can move to extraintestinal locations like the liver and peritoneum. The bacterium induces hepatic inflammation followed by necrosis, leading to the formation of an abscess.
Amoebic colitis is frequently caused by Entamoeba histolytica. This amoeba is responsible for approximately 40 million illnesses and up to 100,000 deaths annually.
It is nonpathogenic and can manifest as an asymptomatic carrier, unlike E. despar, which also infections people in the same manner, through the feces-oral route.
Humans are infected by numerous Entamoeba species, including E. despar and E. moshkovskii, but E. histolytica is the only species which causes amebiasis. The only natural hosts for E. histolytica are humans and primates which aren’t humans.
Prognosis is favorable for both simple and complex abscesses when diagnosed and treated early. Simple abscesses are easily treated, but complex abscesses are associated with a high fatality rate.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430832/
medtigo
Amebic Abscess
Updated :
August 24, 2023
The Entamoeba histolytica protozoan causes amebiasis, a parasitic infection that is contracted through the fecal-oral route. The manifestations of the illness might range from the patient being asymptomatic to him/her suffering from various complications associated with liver abscesses. An amebic liver abscess is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of amebiasis.
Individuals between the ages of 18-50 are the most commonly affected, especially men. Africa, Mexico, South and Central America, and India are regions with a high incidence of amebic infection. There may be fever and abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant in approximately 80% of patients, with gastrointestinal symptoms in 10% to 35% of cases.
An amebic abscess diagnosis is confirmed after studying clinical symptoms and assessing relevant epidemiology, and through performing serological tests and radiographic studies. An optimal treatment involves metronidazole followed by luminal drugs such as paromomycin. Therapeutic aspiration is rarely indicated.
The incidence of amebic liver abscess is uncommon in infants and 10 times more prevalent in males than in women between the ages of 18 and 50. It is unclear why such a remarkable disparity exists, although it is believed that hormonal impacts and alcohol use play a significant role.
In the US, the majority of cases are found among immigrants from endemic regions and residents of the states neighboring Mexico. Africa, Mexico, India and portions of South and Central America are among the global regions with the highest infection rates.
Most patients are infected through consuming contaminated water of food, and additionally oral and anal intercourse, particularly between actively homosexual males is another mode of transmission.
Intestinal amebiasis can cause liver abscesses in 2% to 5% of patients. As this organism is found worldwide, it poses a significant threat in nations lacking appropriate sanitation of municipal water supply.
The Entameba Histolytica life cycle was explained for the first time in 1928 by Clifford Dobell. The organism has two life stages: the cystic stage, which is infectious, and the trophozoite stage, which causes invasive illness. Upon consumption of infected water and food, the illness begins with the ingestion of E. histolytica’s quadrinucleate cyst.
Following excystation in the small intestine lumen, motile, potentially invasive trophozoites are produced. In the majority of infections, trophozoites generate new cysts and are restricted to the mucus layer of the intestine. In other instances, trophozoites stick to and lyse the colonic epithelium, resulting in colon invasion.
Neutrophils respond, causing more cellular damage at the site of invasion. Once the trophozoites have invaded the colonic epithelium, they can move to extraintestinal locations like the liver and peritoneum. The bacterium induces hepatic inflammation followed by necrosis, leading to the formation of an abscess.
Amoebic colitis is frequently caused by Entamoeba histolytica. This amoeba is responsible for approximately 40 million illnesses and up to 100,000 deaths annually.
It is nonpathogenic and can manifest as an asymptomatic carrier, unlike E. despar, which also infections people in the same manner, through the feces-oral route.
Humans are infected by numerous Entamoeba species, including E. despar and E. moshkovskii, but E. histolytica is the only species which causes amebiasis. The only natural hosts for E. histolytica are humans and primates which aren’t humans.
Prognosis is favorable for both simple and complex abscesses when diagnosed and treated early. Simple abscesses are easily treated, but complex abscesses are associated with a high fatality rate.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430832/
Free CME credits
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
Digital Certificate PDF
On course completion, you will receive a full-sized presentation quality digital certificate.
medtigo Simulation
A dynamic medical simulation platform designed to train healthcare professionals and students to effectively run code situations through an immersive hands-on experience in a live, interactive 3D environment.
medtigo Points
medtigo points is our unique point redemption system created to award users for interacting on our site. These points can be redeemed for special discounts on the medtigo marketplace as well as towards the membership cost itself.
Community Forum post/reply = 5 points
*Redemption of points can occur only through the medtigo marketplace, courses, or simulation system. Money will not be credited to your bank account. 10 points = $1.
All Your Certificates in One Place
When you have your licenses, certificates and CMEs in one place, it's easier to track your career growth. You can easily share these with hospitals as well, using your medtigo app.
