AMOEBIASIS Introduction

AMOEBIASIS Introduction

Amoebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica. The disease is common in the Indian subcontinent, Africa and parts of Central and South America, where almost half the population is infected. The majority remain asymptomatic carriers. The mode of infection is via the faecal–oral route and the disease occurs as a result of substandard hygiene and sanitation; therefore, the population from the poorer socioeconomic strata are more vulnerable. The prevalence of E. histolytica stool samples in high-endemic zones such as South East Asia averages 10%; the incidence of amoebic liver abscesses in such populations, however, can be as high as 21 per 100 /uni00A0 000 population. -

To be able to: Diagnose and treat these conditions, particularly as • emergencies. The ease of global travel has connected areas where tropical infections are common to areas where they are not. Patients with such an infection who are recently returned from the tropics will mostly present as emergencies To realise: That the ideal management involves a multidisciplinary • approach between the surgeon, physician, radiologist, pathologist and microbiologist. In case of doubt, in a dif /f_i cult situation, there should be no hesitation in seeking help from a specialist centre

AMOEBIASIS Introduction

Amoebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica. The disease is common in the Indian subcontinent, Africa and parts of Central and South America, where almost half the population is infected. The majority remain asymptomatic carriers. The mode of infection is via the faecal–oral route and the disease occurs as a result of substandard hygiene and sanitation; therefore, the population from the poorer socioeconomic strata are more vulnerable. The prevalence of E. histolytica stool samples in high-endemic zones such as South East Asia averages 10%; the incidence of amoebic liver abscesses in such populations, however, can be as high as 21 per 100 /uni00A0 000 population. -

To be able to: Diagnose and treat these conditions, particularly as • emergencies. The ease of global travel has connected areas where tropical infections are common to areas where they are not. Patients with such an infection who are recently returned from the tropics will mostly present as emergencies To realise: That the ideal management involves a multidisciplinary • approach between the surgeon, physician, radiologist, pathologist and microbiologist. In case of doubt, in a dif /f_i cult situation, there should be no hesitation in seeking help from a specialist centre

AMOEBIASIS Introduction

Amoebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica. The disease is common in the Indian subcontinent, Africa and parts of Central and South America, where almost half the population is infected. The majority remain asymptomatic carriers. The mode of infection is via the faecal–oral route and the disease occurs as a result of substandard hygiene and sanitation; therefore, the population from the poorer socioeconomic strata are more vulnerable. The prevalence of E. histolytica stool samples in high-endemic zones such as South East Asia averages 10%; the incidence of amoebic liver abscesses in such populations, however, can be as high as 21 per 100 /uni00A0 000 population. -

To be able to: Diagnose and treat these conditions, particularly as • emergencies. The ease of global travel has connected areas where tropical infections are common to areas where they are not. Patients with such an infection who are recently returned from the tropics will mostly present as emergencies To realise: That the ideal management involves a multidisciplinary • approach between the surgeon, physician, radiologist, pathologist and microbiologist. In case of doubt, in a dif /f_i cult situation, there should be no hesitation in seeking help from a specialist centre