π¬ PARASITE OF THE DAY: Entamoeba histolytica
Did you know that a tiny parasite can cause bloody diarrhoea and intestinal ulcers?
π¦ Entamoeba histolytica is a pathogenic intestinal protozoan that causes amoebiasis (amoebic dysentery).
π It exists mainly in two forms:
πΉ Cyst β the infective form, commonly acquired through contaminated food or water.
πΉ Trophozoite β the active form responsible for tissue invasion and disease.
π§ͺ Laboratory diagnosis: Stool microscopy can detect cysts and trophozoites. A trophozoite containing ingested red blood cells (RBCs) is an important clue supporting E. histolytica.
β οΈ Symptoms may include:
β’ Abdominal pain
β’ Diarrhoea
β’ Mucus and blood in stool
β’ Dysentery
In some cases, the parasite can spread beyond the intestine and cause an amoebic liver abscess.
π§ Medical Laboratory Scientist's tip: Not every Entamoeba seen under the microscope is E. histolytica. E. histolytica can look very similar to E. dispar, so additional tests may be needed for accurate identification.
Have you ever seen Entamoeba histolytica under the microscope? π¬