Question

Comment upon the following: Amoebiasis.

Hint:

Amoebiasis is caused by a single-celled parasite living in the large intestine.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Amoebiasis is a specific infectious disease of the gut, caused by a single-celled parasite rather than a bacterium or virus.

Step 2: Name the cause.
It is caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica, which infects the large intestine of humans.

Step 3: Explain how it spreads.
The parasite spreads mainly through contaminated food and water, and houseflies acting as mechanical carriers can also transfer it from faecal matter onto exposed food.

Step 4: Note the symptoms.
An infected person typically suffers from constipation, abdominal pain, cramps, and stools containing excess mucus, sometimes progressing to painful ulceration in the intestinal wall.

Final Answer:
Amoebiasis is an intestinal infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica, spread through contaminated food and water, causing abdominal pain, cramps and mucus-containing stools.