|
|
Dysentery
Dysentery,
acute or chronic disease of the large intestine of human beings, char acterized
by frequent passage of small, watery stools, often containing blood and mucus,
accompanied by severe abdominal cramps. Ulceration of the walls of the intestine
may occur. Although many severe cases of diarrhoea have been called dysentery,
the word properly refers to a disease caused by either a specific amoeba, Entamoeba
histolytica, or a bacillus that infects the colon.
AMOEBIC DYSENTERY
Amoebic dysentery,
caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, is endemic in many tropical
countries, but is attributable more to unsanitary conditions than to heat. It is
the most common type of dysentery in the Philippine Islands, the Malay
Archipelago, and the Caribbean, but it also occurs in almost all temperate
countries. Amoebic dysentery
is most commonly spread by water or contaminated, uncooked food or from
carriers. Flies may carry the cysts to spread the amoeba from the faeces of
infected people to food. Various drugs,
including metronidazole, ementine, and iodine-containing preparations, have been
useful in treating severe cases of the disease.
BACILLARY
DYSENTERY
Bacillary
dysentery is caused by certain nonmotile bacteria of the genus Shigella.
This form of dysentery is also most prevalent in unhygienic areas of the
tropics, but, because it is easily spread, sporadic outbreaks are common in all
parts of the world. This dysentery is usually self-limiting and rarely manifests
the more severe organ involvements characteristic of amoebic dysentery.
Bacillary dysentery is spread by contaminated water, milk, and food. Faeces from
active cases as well as those from healthy carriers contain immense numbers of
the disease-producing bacteria. Flies carry the bacteria on their feet or in
their saliva and faeces, and deposit them on food; ants are also believed to
spread the disease. In the treatment of bacillary dysentery, proper replacement of
fluid is important. Sulphonamides, tetracycline, and streptomycin were effective
in curing acute cases until drug-resistant strains emerged. Chloramphenicol is
sometimes used to treat these strains. Quinolones such as norfloxacin and
ciprofloxacin are also effective against Shigella infection.
|
|
|