Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of amebic dysentery. Family history Have you been on a trip abroad within the last year? If so, where were you on vacation? What is the general health of your dependents? Are there any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in your family that … Amoebic Dysentery: Medical History
Amoebic dysentery (intestinal form/involving the intestine). Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Acute infectious gastroenteritis (gastrointestinal flu), e.g., rotavirus infection Campylobacter infection – Campylobacter are the most common bacterial pathogens of vomiting diarrhea. Escheria coli infection – bacterial gastroenteritis (gastroenteritis). Giardiasis – disease caused by the flagellate Giardia intestinalis (genotype A and B). Hookworm disease Lamblia-induced … Amoebic Dysentery: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that can be caused by amoebic dysentery (intestinal form/affecting the intestine): Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Severe fluid and electrolyte losses to circulatory failure and shock. Mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and intestines (K00-K67; K90-K93). Fulminant course (sudden, rapid, and severe development) with toxic megacolon … Amoebic Dysentery: Complications
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing): Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae Abdomen Shape of the abdomen? Skin color? Skin texture? Efflorescences (skin changes)? Pulsations? Bowel movements? Visible vessels? Scars? Hernias (fractures)? Auscultation … Amoebic Dysentery: Examination
1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Microscopic pathogen detection of cysts or trophozoites in stool: from bloody-mucous portions of fresh stool. Note: Only magnaforms (trophozoites that have phagocytosed erythrocytes (red blood cells); subsequent enzymatic degradation of erythrocytes) with amebic movement prove amebiasis! If minutaforms (trophozoites that have not phagocytosed erythrocytes) are detected in … Amoebic Dysentery: Test and Diagnosis
Therapeutic target Rehydration (compensate for fluid losses). Elimination of pathogens Avoidance of complications Therapy recommendations Symptomatic therapy including fluid replacement – oral rehydration for signs of dehydration (fluid deficiency; > 3% weight loss): administration of oral rehydration solutions (ORL), which should be hypotonic, between meals (“tea breaks”) for mild to moderate dehydration. Amoebic dysentery and … Amoebic Dysentery: Drug Therapy
Obligatory medical device diagnostics. Colonoscopy (colonoscopy) In the context of amoebic dysentery (intestinal form), flat ulcerations (ulcers) with slightly raised edges can be detected. In severe courses, the mucosa (mucous membrane) between the ulcerations shows erythema (skin redness) and increased vulnerability (vulnerability). In very severe cases, the entire mucosa is inflamed and hemorrhagic (bleeding). Note: … Amoebic Dysentery: Diagnostic Tests
To prevent amebic dysentery, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Consumption of beverages suspected of being contaminated, as well as food, in endemic areas General hygiene measures In foreign countries, to the extent that hygiene standards are not met, the following rules should also be observed: On raw … Amoebic Dysentery: Prevention
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate amebic dysentery (intestinal form): Main symptoms Raspberry jelly-like diarrhea (diarrhea; mushy consistency with mucus threads and traces of blood). Crampy abdominal pain Tenesmus (constant painful urge to defecate). Secondary symptoms Possibly fever (in about 30% of cases). The following symptoms and complaints may indicate an amoebic liver abscess … Amoebic Dysentery: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (disease development) Amoebic dysentery is caused by the protozoan (single-celled organism) Entamoeba histolytica (sensu stricto). The pathogens enter the body as cysts through oral ingestion of contaminated drinking water, as well as food. They are resistant to the acidic gastric juice. The pathogens live and multiply by cell division in the colon (large intestine). … Amoebic Dysentery: Causes
General measures Observance of the general hygiene measures! Hands must be washed with soap and water for at least 30 seconds before preparing fresh food! Pay attention to warning signs of dehydration (lack of fluid; see “Symptoms – Complaints”). At the onset of fever: Bed rest and physical rest (even with only a slight fever). … Amoebic Dysentery: Therapy
