DEFINITION
Amoebiasis is an infection of the large intestine produced by Entamoeba histolytica.
There are 7 species of amoeba that naturally parasitize the human mouth and intestine, but of these only E. histolytica causes disease. The organism may behave as a parasite (by harming the host) or as a commensal (when it does no harm to the host).
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Worldwide distribution
It is estimated that 10% of the world’s population is infected with amoebae. More prevalent in tropical areas where invasive amoebic infection is common. The presence of pathological zymodemes in tropics and poor sanitation is responsible for this state of affairs.
