Amoebiasis and its control

On a global scale, 480 million people were recently estimated to be infected with Entamoeba histolytica and some 48 million people suffer from invasive amoebiasis. The latter, in the intestinal and extra-intestinal forms, accounts for 40 000 to 110 000 deaths annually. In view of this considerable mortality and morbidity, more research is urgently needed so that more effective control strategies may be introduced.This Update article reviews the magnitude of the problem, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, present treatment and prevention measures, possible control strategies, and research priorities.