Illnesses and disabilities
Entamoeba histolytica infection
Category: Illness or disabilities
Type
Involuntary
Introduction and description
Entamoeba histolytica is an anaerobic parasitic protozoan, part of the genus Entamoeba. Predominantly infecting humans and other primates, it causes amoebiasis. Mammals such as dogs and cats can become infected transiently, but are not thought to contribute significantly to transmission.
E. histolytica is estimated to infect about 50 million people worldwide. Previously, it was thought that 10% of the world population was infected, but these figures predate the recognition that at least 90% of these infections were due to a second species, E. dispar. The word histolytic literally means "tissue destroyer".
Classified as a Parasite, the Amoebiasis, that results is predominantly a gastrointestinal infection often confused with ‘traveller’s diarrhoea’ which is bacterial rather than parasitic in origin. However, far more serious complications can occur.
The description for Amoebiasis can be found by following this LINK.
