Index >> Eukaryotes Microbes >>Amoebiasis

Amoebiasis - The disease is characterised by painful ulcers of human intestine. The causal organism is Entamoeba histolytica (Sarcodina). It enters the body as cyst and passes through stomach acid. In small and large intestines the amoebae emerge and begin to feed on tissue. This feeding form is known as the trophozite. Lesions coalesce to form deep ulcer, causing appendicitis like pain.

If not controlled, the amoebae eventually reach the blood vessels of intestinal wall. Now the stool becomes bloody, causing the problem of parasitemia. If amoebae localise in the lung or liver, these may be fatal. Amoebiasis may be treated with paromomycin and metronidazole and tetracycline.