Water Borne Diseases -- Ameobiases

Amoebiasis

Amoebiasis, despread human disease in tropical regions, resulting from infection by the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. The parasite is most commonly acquired in its encysted form in tainted food or drink. When it infects the intestines it can only cause dysentery, but it may also spread to other organs. Amoebiasis is easily dealt with by drugs, but, if untreated, it can lead to abscesses of the liver, the lungs, and, less frequently, the heart; rarely, it may even reach and damage the brain.

The parasite Entamoeba histolytica is one of the six forms of amoeba that cause disease in humans. It is endemic in many tropical countries, but is attributable more to unsanitary conditions than to heat. It is the cause of the most common type of dysentery experienced in the Philippines, the Malay Archipelago, and the Caribbean, but it also occurs in almost all temperate countries. It also causes amoebiasis, which can destroy organ tissue.