CLINICAL DESCRIPTION

Amoebiasis is an infection of the large intestine by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Intestinal amoebiasis is frequently asymptomatic and varies from fulminant dysentery with fever, chills, and bloody or mucoid diarrhea to mild abdominal discomfort with diarrhea containing blood or mucus alternating with periods of constipation or remission. Extraintestinal amoebiasis disease occurs when the parasite invades other organs such as liver, lung, brain or skin. The incubation period varies from a few days to several months or years; commonly 2-4 weeks. Transmission occurs by ingestion of amoebic cysts with fecally contaminated food or water, or sexually by oral-anal contact.

CASE CLASSIFICATION

1. CONFIRMED
   
   Intestinal amoebiasis: A clinically compatible case (NOTE: Asymptomatic carriage should not be reported.) AND:
   • Demonstration of E. histolytica cysts or trophozoites in stool, OR
     
   • Demonstration of trophozoites of E. histolytica in tissue biopsy or ulcer scrapings by histopathology or culture
   
   Extraintestinal amoebiasis:
   • Demonstration of trophozoites of E. histolytica in extraintestinal tissue, OR
     
   • Presence of specific antibody against E. histolytica as measured by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) or other reliable immunodiagnostic test such as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in a symptomatic person with clinical and/or radiological findings consistent with extraintestinal infection. A positive serologic test in an asymptomatic person does not necessarily indicate extraintestinal amoebiasis
     
     

2. PROBABLE

   Not used

3. POSSIBLE
   
   Not used

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