Introduction: Amoebiasis protozoal infection of human beings initially involves the colon, but may spread to soft tissues,

most commonly to the liver or lungs, by contiguity or hematogenous or lymphatic dissemination. Amoebiasis is the third leading parasitic cause of death worldwide, surpassed only by malaria and schistosomiasis. On a global basis, amoebiasis affects approximately 5 million persons each year, resulting in nearly ! , deaths. "tiologic Agent: "natamoeba #istolytica $revalent in unsanitary areas %ommon in warm climate Ac&uired by swallowing %ysts survives a few days outside of the body %yst passes to the large intestine and hatch into trophozoites. It passes into the mesenteric veins, to the portal vein, to the liver, thereby forming amoebic liver abscess. "ntamoeba #istolytica has two developmental stages: 'rophozoites(vegetative form 'rophozoites are facultative parasites that may invade the tissues or may be found in the parasitized tissues and li&uid colonic contents. %yst %yst is passed out with formed or semi)formed stools and are resistant to environmental conditions. 'his is considered as the infective stage in the cycle of ". histolytica *ource: #uman "xcreta Incubation $eriod: 'he incubation period in severe infection is three days. In subacute and chronic form it lasts for several months. In average cases the incubation period varies from three to four wee+s $eriod of %ommunicability: 'he microorganism is communicable for the entire duration of the illness. ,odes of 'ransmission: 'he disease can be passed from one person to another through fecal)oral transmission. 'he disease can be transmitted through direct contact, through sexual contact by orogenital, oroanal, and proctogenital sexual activity. 'hrough indirect contact, the disease can infect humans by ingestion of food especially uncoo+ed leafy vegetables or foods contaminated with fecal materials containing ". histolytica cysts. -ood or drin+s maybe contaminated by cyst through pollution of water supplies, exposure to flies, use of night soil for fertilizing vegetables, and through unhygienic practices of food handlers. %linical ,anifestations:

Acute amoebic dysentery *light attac+ of diarrhea, altered with periods of constipation and often accompanied by tenesmus. .iarrhea, watery and foul smelling stool often containing blood)strea+ed mucus %olic and gaseous distension of the lower abdomen /ausea, flatulence, abdomnal distension and tenderness in the right iliac region over the colon %hronic amoebic dysentery Attac+ dysentery that lasts for several days, usually succeeded by constipation 'enesmus accompanied by the desire to defacate Anorexia, weight loss, and wea+ness 0iver may be enlarged 'he stool at first is semifluid but soon becomes watery, bloody, and mucoid 1ague abdominal distress, flatulence, constipation or irregularity of bowel ,ild toxemia, constant fatigue and lassitude Abdomen loses its elasticity when pic+ed up between fingers On sigmoidoscopy, scattered ulceration with yellowish and erythematous border 'he gangrenous type 2fatal cases3 is characterized by the appearance of large sloughs of intestinal tissues in the stool accompanied by hemorrhage. "xtraintestinal forms #epatic $ain at the upper right &uadrant with tenderness of the liver Abscess may brea+ through the lungs, patient coughs anchovy)sauce sputum 4aundice Intermittent fever 0oss of weight or anorexia %linical -eatures: Onset is gradual .iarrhea increases and stool becomes bloody and mucoid In untreated cases: