Amoebiasis

Key points

• Amoebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica (an amoeboid protozoan) and spread by the faecal-oral route. It is estimated that 10% of the world's population is chronically infected. Infection can be asymptomatic,
• profuse, bloody diarrhoea
• stool microscopy may show trophozoites
• treatment is with metronidazole Amoebic liver abscess
• usually a single mass in the right lobe (may be multiple)