Health Dictionary
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Amoebiasis classification
Introduction
Overview
Overview
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.
Classification
Classification
Classification Based on Responsible Organism
- 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)
Classification Based on Invasion
- 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
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.; Serge Korjian M.D.