2018/07/01 by Debbie‐Ann Shirley, Laura Farr, Koji Watanabe +1 · 1 citation
Medicine · #Amoebic Infections and Treatments #Appendicitis Diagnosis and Management #Hematological disorders and diagnostics #Medicine #Current (fluid) #Pathogenic organism #Intensive care medicine #Medical physics #Microbiology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/ofid/ofy161
openalex publication_date 2018/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
is a leading cause of diarrhea globally. Largely an infection of impoverished communities in developing countries, amebiasis has emerged as an important infection among returning travelers, immigrants, and men who have sex with men residing in developed countries. Severe cases can be associated with high case fatality. Polymerase chain reaction-based diagnosis is increasingly available but remains underutilized. Nitroimidazoles are currently recommended for treatment, but new drug development to treat parasitic agents is a high priority. Amebiasis should be considered before corticosteroid therapy to decrease complications. There is no effective vaccine, so prevention focuses on sanitation and access to clean water. Further understanding of parasite biology and pathogenesis will advance future targeted therapeutic and preventative strategies.