amebic dysentery
Quick Summary
Amebic dysentery is an intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. While often asymptomatic, it can lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever due to ulceration of the intestinal walls.123
The parasite spreads through contaminated food and water, often via feces. Infection can extend beyond the intestines to the liver, lungs, or brain, forming abscesses. Amebic dysentery is distinct from bacillary dysentery, which is caused by bacteria. Treatment involves specific drugs to eliminate the amebic parasites.32
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
dysenteryAmebic dysentery, or intestinal amebiasis, is caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. This form of dysentery, which traditionally occurs in the tropics, is usually much more chronic and insidious than the bacillary disease and is more difficult to treat because the causative organism occurs in…
Read MoreAmebic dysentery, or intestinal amebiasis, is caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. This form of dysentery, which traditionally occurs in the tropics, is usually much more chronic and insidious than the bacillary disease and is more difficult to treat because the causative organism occurs in…
Read More
Entamoeba… is the cause of human amebic dysentery. The cell nucleus, which is distinctive for the genus, contains a central body, the endosome, and a ring of uniformly sized granules attached to the nuclear membrane.
Read More… is the cause of human amebic dysentery. The cell nucleus, which is distinctive for the genus, contains a central body, the endosome, and a ring of uniformly sized granules attached to the nuclear membrane.
Read More
