Amebiasis
Let us revisit this disease entity for this issue.
For the past weeks, we have been getting a lot of admissions in the hospital because of this infection called amebiasis.
Amebiasis refers to infection of man by Entamoeba histolytica initially involving the colon but which may spread to other soft tissue organs or to the liver and lungs.
Entamoeba histolytica has two developmental stages, the trophozoites and cysts. The trophozoites are found in the parasitized tissues and liquid colonic contents and they are transformed into cysts by encystation during the process of dehydration of the bowel contents.
The cysts are passed out with formed or semi- formed stools and are resistant to environmental conditions.
The cysts are the infective stage of E. histolytica.
How can one get infected with E. histolytica?
Man gets infected by ingestion of food or drink contaminated with fecal materials containing viable E. histolytica cysts.
These foods and drinks may be contaminated with cysts through the following:
– pollution of water supplies
– exposure of food to flies
– use of night soil for fertilizing vegetables and
– unhygienic practices of food handlers
Clinically, children will present with;
– attacks of diarrhea alternating with periods of constipation
– colic and gaseous distention of the lower abdomen
– nausea
– flatulence and abdominal distensions and
– tenderness in the right iliac region or over the colon
– some children may have fever due to the infection or to dehydration
It is important to bring children with diarrhea to the doctor for assessment of dehydration so that proper medications and interventions can be done.
Parents should always remember that dehydration could be fatal.