BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAmebiasisAmebic dysentery; Intestinal amebiasis; Amebic colitis; Diarrhea - amebiasisAmebiasis is an infection of the intestines. It is caused by the microscopic parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Causes E histolytica can live in the large intestine (colon) without causing damage to the intestine. In some cases, it invades the colon wall, causing colitis, acute dysentery, or long-term (chronic) diarrhea. The infection can also spread through the bloodstream to the liver. In rare cases, it can spread to the lungs, brain, or other organs.ColitisColitis is swelling (inflammation) of the large intestine (colon).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This condition occurs worldwide. It is most common in tropical areas that have crowded living conditions and poor sanitation. Africa, Mexico, parts of South America, and India have major health problems due to this condition.The parasite may spread:Through food or water contaminated with stool Through fertilizer made of human waste From person to person, particularly by contact with the mouth or rectal area of an infected personRisk factors for severe amebiasis include:Alcohol use Cancer Malnutrition Older or younger age Pregnancy Recent travel to a tropical region Use of corticosteroid medicine to suppress the immune systemIn the United States, amebiasis is most common among those who live in institutions or people who have traveled to an area where amebiasis is common. Symptoms Most people with this infection do not have symptoms. If symptoms occur, they are seen 7 to 28 days after being exposed to the parasite.Mild symptoms may include:Abdominal cramps Diarrhea: passage of 3 to 8 semiformed stools per day, or passage of soft stools with mucus and occasional blood Fatigue Excessive gas Rectal pain while having a bowel movement (tenesmus) TenesmusTenesmus is the feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty. It may involve straining, pain, and cramping....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Unintentional weight lossUnintentional weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Severe symptoms may include:Abdominal tenderness Bloody stools, including passage of liquid stools with streaks of blood, passage of 10 to 20 stools per day Bloody stoolsBlack or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fever Vomiting Exams and Tests The health care provider will perform a physical exam. You will be asked about your medical history, especially if you have recently traveled overseas. Examination of the abdomen may show liver enlargement or tenderness in the abdomen (typically in the right upper quadrant).Liver enlargementEnlarged liver refers to swelling of the liver beyond its normal size. Hepatomegaly is another word to describe this problem. If both the liver and ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests that may be ordered include:Blood test for amebiasis Examination of the inside of the lower large bowel (sigmoidoscopy) SigmoidoscopySigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. The sigmoid colon is the area of the large intestine nearest to the re...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stool test Microscope examination of stool samples, usually with multiple samples over several daysMicroscope examination of stool samplesStool ova and parasites exam is a lab test to look for parasites or eggs (ova) in a stool sample. The parasites are associated with intestinal infec...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment depends on how severe the infection is. Usually, antibiotics are prescribed.If you are vomiting, you may be given medicines through a vein (intravenously) until you can take them by mouth. Medicines to stop diarrhea are usually not prescribed because they can make the condition worse.IntravenouslyIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article After antibiotic treatment, your stool will likely be rechecked to make sure the infection has been cleared. Outlook (Prognosis) Outcome is usually good with treatment. Usually, the illness lasts about 2 weeks, but it can come back if you do not get treated. Possible Complications Complications of amebiasis may include:Liver abscess (collection of parasites and pus in the liver) Liver abscessAmebic liver abscess is a collection of pus in the liver in response to an intestinal parasite called Entamoeba histolytica.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Medicine side effects, including nausea Spread of the parasite through the blood to the liver, lungs, brain, or other organs When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have diarrhea that does not go away or gets worse. Prevention When traveling in countries where sanitation is poor, drink purified or boiled water. Do not eat uncooked vegetables or unpeeled fruit. Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating.Open ReferencesReferencesPetri WA, Haque R, Moonah SN. Entamoeba species, including amebic colitis and liver abscess. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 272.Salvana EMT, Salata RA. Amebiasis. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 307.AllVideoImagesTogAmebic brain abscess - illustration Amebiasis, normally an infection of the intestinal tract, may spread and infect other organs such as the liver or brain. Infection of the brain can be fatal. In this slide, ameba are shown in a sample of brain tissue. Ameba represent a serious infection in immunocompromised individuals. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Amebic brain abscessillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationPyogenic abscess - illustration A liver abscess can develop from several different sources, including a blood infection, an abdominal infection, or an abdominal injury which has been become infected. The most common infecting bacteria include E coli, enterococcus, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. Treatment is usually a combination of drainage and prolonged antibiotic therapy.Pyogenic abscessillustrationAmebic brain abscess - illustration Amebiasis, normally an infection of the intestinal tract, may spread and infect other organs such as the liver or brain. Infection of the brain can be fatal. In this slide, ameba are shown in a sample of brain tissue. Ameba represent a serious infection in immunocompromised individuals. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Amebic brain abscessillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationPyogenic abscess - illustration A liver abscess can develop from several different sources, including a blood infection, an abdominal infection, or an abdominal injury which has been become infected. The most common infecting bacteria include E coli, enterococcus, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. Treatment is usually a combination of drainage and prolonged antibiotic therapy.Pyogenic abscessillustrationRelated Information Colitis(Condition)Abdominal pain(Symptoms)Tenesmus(Symptoms)Immunodeficiency disorders(Condition)Pyogenic liver abscess(Condition) Review Date: 9/10/2022 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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AmebiasisAmebic dysentery; Intestinal amebiasis; Amebic colitis; Diarrhea - amebiasisAmebiasis is an infection of the intestines. It is caused by the microscopic parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Causes E histolytica can live in the large intestine (colon) without causing damage to the intestine. In some cases, it invades the colon wall, causing colitis, acute dysentery, or long-term (chronic) diarrhea. The infection can also spread through the bloodstream to the liver. In rare cases, it can spread to the lungs, brain, or other organs.ColitisColitis is swelling (inflammation) of the large intestine (colon).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This condition occurs worldwide. It is most common in tropical areas that have crowded living conditions and poor sanitation. Africa, Mexico, parts of South America, and India have major health problems due to this condition.The parasite may spread:Through food or water contaminated with stool Through fertilizer made of human waste From person to person, particularly by contact with the mouth or rectal area of an infected personRisk factors for severe amebiasis include:Alcohol use Cancer Malnutrition Older or younger age Pregnancy Recent travel to a tropical region Use of corticosteroid medicine to suppress the immune systemIn the United States, amebiasis is most common among those who live in institutions or people who have traveled to an area where amebiasis is common. Symptoms Most people with this infection do not have symptoms. If symptoms occur, they are seen 7 to 28 days after being exposed to the parasite.Mild symptoms may include:Abdominal cramps Diarrhea: passage of 3 to 8 semiformed stools per day, or passage of soft stools with mucus and occasional blood Fatigue Excessive gas Rectal pain while having a bowel movement (tenesmus) TenesmusTenesmus is the feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty. It may involve straining, pain, and cramping....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Unintentional weight lossUnintentional weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Severe symptoms may include:Abdominal tenderness Bloody stools, including passage of liquid stools with streaks of blood, passage of 10 to 20 stools per day Bloody stoolsBlack or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fever Vomiting Exams and Tests The health care provider will perform a physical exam. You will be asked about your medical history, especially if you have recently traveled overseas. Examination of the abdomen may show liver enlargement or tenderness in the abdomen (typically in the right upper quadrant).Liver enlargementEnlarged liver refers to swelling of the liver beyond its normal size. Hepatomegaly is another word to describe this problem. If both the liver and ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests that may be ordered include:Blood test for amebiasis Examination of the inside of the lower large bowel (sigmoidoscopy) SigmoidoscopySigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. The sigmoid colon is the area of the large intestine nearest to the re...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stool test Microscope examination of stool samples, usually with multiple samples over several daysMicroscope examination of stool samplesStool ova and parasites exam is a lab test to look for parasites or eggs (ova) in a stool sample. The parasites are associated with intestinal infec...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment depends on how severe the infection is. Usually, antibiotics are prescribed.If you are vomiting, you may be given medicines through a vein (intravenously) until you can take them by mouth. Medicines to stop diarrhea are usually not prescribed because they can make the condition worse.IntravenouslyIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article After antibiotic treatment, your stool will likely be rechecked to make sure the infection has been cleared. Outlook (Prognosis) Outcome is usually good with treatment. Usually, the illness lasts about 2 weeks, but it can come back if you do not get treated. Possible Complications Complications of amebiasis may include:Liver abscess (collection of parasites and pus in the liver) Liver abscessAmebic liver abscess is a collection of pus in the liver in response to an intestinal parasite called Entamoeba histolytica.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Medicine side effects, including nausea Spread of the parasite through the blood to the liver, lungs, brain, or other organs When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have diarrhea that does not go away or gets worse. Prevention When traveling in countries where sanitation is poor, drink purified or boiled water. Do not eat uncooked vegetables or unpeeled fruit. Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating.Open ReferencesReferencesPetri WA, Haque R, Moonah SN. Entamoeba species, including amebic colitis and liver abscess. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 272.Salvana EMT, Salata RA. Amebiasis. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 307.