Medical Diagnosis Exams

Amoebiasis is a parasitic infection of the intestines caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. The infection is acquired by ingestion of cysts in fecally contaminated food or water; excystation and infection occur in the large intestine.
After excystation, trophozoites attach to the intestinal wall and liberate extracellular enzymes that enable invasion of the mucosa and spread to other organs, especially the liver and lung where abscesses develop.
The symptoms of amoebiasis include loose stool, abdominal cramping, feler, prostration and stomach pain. Serology test may be used in the diagnosis of extraintestinal amoebiasis, especially liver abscess.