ABSTRACT
The human parasite Entamoeba histolytica has a worldwide distribution. The majority of infected individuals suffer few symptoms; nonetheless, a variable proportion experience dysentery, hepatic abscesses, or invasion of other extraintestinal organs. Invasive amebiasis is a major health problem, particularly in certain developing countries. The aim of this review is to clarify, as much as possible, controversial issues about the biology of the parasite, the clinical features of amebiasis, and the estimations of morbidity and mortality rate as the basis for defining strategies for control of amebiasis by primary health care workers. The eradication of invasive amebiasis lies basically in potentially political and economic actions at the governmental level. Preventive and control measures include (1) provision of water supplies and sanitation, (2) health education, (3) adequate diagnosis and correct treatment of invasive amebiasis, and (4) implementation of surveillance and control programs.
Subject(s)
Amebiasis/prevention & control , Entamoebiasis/prevention & control , Carrier State , Dysentery, Amebic/prevention & control , Emetine/therapeutic use , Entamoeba histolytica/physiology , Entamoebiasis/diagnosis , Entamoebiasis/drug therapy , Food Contamination/prevention & control , Health Education , Humans , Immunization , Liver Abscess, Amebic/prevention & control , Metronidazole/therapeutic use , Population Surveillance , Research , Sanitation , Serologic Tests , Sewage , Water SupplyABSTRACT
El parasito del hombre, Entamoeba histolytica, es cosmopolita. La mayoria de las personas infectadas con el no presentan sintomas ostensibles; en cambio, varias de ellas muestran manifestaciones de disenteria, de absceso hepatico o de lesion de otros organos extraintestinales.En algunos paises en desarrollo la amibiasis invasora es un problema importante de salud publica El objetivo de esta revision es alcancar, hasta donde es posible, ciertos aspectos controvertibles de la biologia de ese parasito, de las manifestaciones clinicas de la amibiasis y de las estimaciones sobre su morbilidad y su mortalidad, como base para formular una estrategia para el control de esa infeccion, factible por trabajadores para la salud del primer nivel.Las medidas preventivas y de control deben comprender: a) suministro de agua potable y saneamiento del ambiente; b) educacion para la salud; c) diagnostico adecuado y tratamiento correcto de los casos de amibiasis invasora; y d) establecimiento de programas de vigilancia y control epidemiologicos
