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Amebiasis. AMEBIASIS Incidence. Possibly 10 % of world's population infected Prevalence in tropical countries : 30 % Prevalence in U.S.A. : 1 to 5 % Man is primary reservoir Prevalence in U.S. homosexual population : 25 %
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AMEBIASIS Incidence • Possibly 10 % of world's population infected • Prevalence in tropical countries : 30 % • Prevalence in U.S.A. : 1 to 5 % • Man is primary reservoir • Prevalence in U.S. homosexual population : 25 % • Reported epidemic in Grand Junction Colorado from chiropractic "colonic therapy" irrigation
AMEBIASIS Pathophysiology • Two life cycle forms (as for Giardia) : • Trophozoite : causes illness • Cysts : passed in stool, are infectious • Transmission by fecal-oral route • Most infections are asymptomatic • Attack rates 5 to 30 % • Cysts can remain viable for months in moist environment • Cysts sensitive to chlorination, dessication, boiling
AMEBIASIS Pathology • Main pathology is in colon • Initial mucosal inflammation • Then mucosal erosions, then ulcers • Extraintestinal spread is hematogenous • Large abscesses can develop in : • Liver • Lung • Brain • Other tissues
AMEBIASIS Symptoms • Incubation period variable, but often 5 to 10 days • Crampy abdominal pain • Dysentery • +/- weight loss • +/- anorexia, nausea • Focal symptoms if complications develop
AMEBIASIS Complications • Fatality rate for amebic dysentery is 2 % • Overall complication rate is 3 to 4 % • Colon perforation • Toxic megacolon • Ameboma (abd. mass, bowel obstruction) • Liver abscess - may rupture into pleural or pericardial space • Brain abscess • May cause 40,000 to 75,000 deaths annually (2nd or 3rd parasitic cause of death in the world after malaria +/- leishmaniasis )
AMEBIASIS Diagnosis • Fresh stool or colon mucus shows cysts or trophozoites • Often 3 or more stool exams required • Serologic tests important to distinguish amebiasis from ulcerative colitis • Sigmoidoscopy useful to inspect ulcers and obtain stool or mucus for culture & stain • Abd. CT needed if liver abscess suspected
AMEBIASIS Treatment • Two general classes of meds used: • Tissue amebacides : combat invasive amebiasis in bowel & liver • Metronidazole • Emetine, dehydroemetine • Chloroquine • Lumenal drugs : kill amebas within colon • Iodoquinol • Paramomycin • Diloxanide
AMEBIASIS Treatment of Asymptomatic Carriers • Recommended for: • Food handlers (always) • All cases in low incidence regions ( U.S.A., Europe) • Not always recommended for asymptomatic cases in high incidence tropical countries
AMEBIASIS : Treatment Regimens for Asymptomatic Carriers • Iodoquinol • 650 mg tid x 10 days (40 mg / kg / day ) • Side effects mild : nausea, emesis, rash • Paramomycin • 500 mg tid x 7 to 10 days (30 mg / kg / day) • OK in pregnancy • Diloxanide furoate (Furamide) • 500 mg tid x 10 days (20 mg / kg / day) • Only available in U.S.A. by calling CDC in Atlanta
AMEBIASIS : Treatment of Invasive Disease • Metronidazole 750 mg tid x 10 days, followed by iodoquinol 650 mg tid x 20 days (or paramomycin 25 to 30 mg / kg / day in 3 divided doses x 7 days) • Dehydroemetine one to 1.5 mg / kg / day (max. 90 mg / day) IM up to 5 days following iodoquinol • Tetracycline 500 mg qid x 10 days (indirect amoebacidal action) • Chloroquine phosphate : 2nd line agent for extralumenal infection ; 1gram / day, then 500 mg / day x 2 to 3 weeks