Amoebiasis classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.; Serge Korjian M.D.

Amoebiasis may be classified based on the responsible organism (E. histolytica vs. E. dispar) or based on the extent of invasion of the infection (luminal [asymptomatic] vs. invasive intestinal or extraintestinal [symptomatic]). E. histolytica may cause either luminal or extraluminal infection, whereas E. dispar can only causes luminal infection.

• E. histolytica

Responsible for all symptomatic amoebiasis

May casuse either luminal (asymptomatic) or invasive infection (symptomatic)

• E. dispar

Responsible for the majority of colonization cases

Only causes luminal infection (asymptomatic)

• Luminal amoebiasis: parasite localized to the intestines, patients are asymptomatic
• Invasive amoebiasis: parasite was able to damage the integrity of the intestinal wall, patients symptomatic

• Invasive intestinal: parasite causes intestinal manifestations
• Invasive extraintestinal: parasite spreads to distant organs and causes extraintestinal manifestations