Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection
11:49

Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection

Published on: June 12, 2014

Amebic infection in humans

Gourdas Choudhuri1, Murali Rangan

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226 014, India. choudhuri.gour@gmail.com

Indian Journal of Gastroenterology : Official Journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology
|August 21, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Amebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, affects millions globally, leading to significant mortality. This review updates scientific developments in amebiasis, focusing on diagnosis and management of invasive forms like amebic liver abscess.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Tropical Medicine

Background:

  • Amebiasis remains a significant global health concern, with Entamoeba histolytica causing millions of infections and substantial annual deaths.
  • Distinguishing invasive Entamoeba histolytica from non-invasive Entamoeba dispar requires specialized diagnostics.
  • Amebic liver abscess, a severe manifestation, complicates 1% of infections, posing a potentially fatal threat.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar infections.
  • To elucidate parasite and host factors influencing disease manifestation and severity.
  • To update on modern diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for amebiasis, particularly amebic liver abscess.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of amebiasis, focusing on parasite biology, host-pathogen interactions, and clinical management.
  • Analysis of the role of modern imaging and image-guided therapies in diagnosing and managing amebic liver abscess.
  • Synthesis of current scientific developments and clinical practice guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Invasive amebiasis, especially amebic liver abscess, requires accurate diagnosis using molecular or enzymatic methods.
  • Modern imaging techniques and image-guided therapies are increasingly vital for managing amebic liver abscess.
  • Despite challenges, in-hospital mortality for amebic liver abscess appears to be decreasing.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate diagnosis and management of amebiasis, particularly invasive forms, are crucial despite declining awareness.
  • Advances in imaging and interventional therapies are improving outcomes for amebic liver abscess.
  • Continued research and updated clinical practices are essential to combat the global burden of amebiasis.

More Related Videos

Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches09:04

Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches

Published on: October 27, 2013

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes08:34

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes

Published on: September 27, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae01:29

Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae

The phylum Chlamydiae or Chlamydiota is composed of a single order, Chlamydiales. This phylum consists entirely of obligate intracellular parasites that infect eukaryotic hosts. While human pathogens within this group have been studied extensively, the phylum encompasses many species capable of interacting with various eukaryotic organisms. Members of Chlamydiae are typically small cocci, approximately 0.5 μm in diameter, and exhibit a distinctive developmental cycle. As is characteristic of...
Diversity of Protists I01:15

Diversity of Protists I

Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
Diversity of Protists IV01:27

Diversity of Protists IV

Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...