Infectious Disease Flashcards
What is amebiasis?
Amebiasis is infection or colonization with amebas, especially Entamoeba hystolytica. About 500 million people in tropical countries are infected. The infection typically begins in the colon but may spread to other organs, e.g. the liver, or less often, the skin and lungs.
Most infected patients have no tissue invasion and are asymptomatic. Acute colitis, when it occurs, is marked by bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, tenesmus, and weakness.
Treatment: Dysentery and liver abscess are treated with metronidazole followed by iodoquinol.
What is giardiasis?
Giardiasis is infection of the small intestine with the flagellate protozoan Giardia duodenalis (also known as G lamblia or G intestinalis).
Most patients with giardiasis have mild to severe diarrhea with abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, pain, weight loss, and some measure of fluid and electrolyte loss.
Treatment: Oral rehydration therapy and oral antibiotics (such as albendazole or metronidazole) typically provide effective relief.
