Entamoeba moshkovskii
| Entamoeba moshkovskii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Phylum: | Amoebozoa |
| Family: | Entamoebidae |
| Genus: | Entamoeba |
| Species: | E. moshkovskii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Entamoeba moshkovskii Tshalaia, 1941
| |
Entamoeba moshkovskii is part of the genus Entamoeba.[1] It is found in areas with polluted water sources, and is prevalent in places such as Malaysia, India, and Bangladesh, but more recently has made its way to Turkey, Australia, and North America. This amoeba is said to rarely infect humans, but recently this has changed. It is in question as to whether it is pathogenic or not.[2] Despite some sources stating this is a free living amoeba, various studies worldwide have shown it contains the ability to infect humans, with some cases of pathogenic potential being reported.[3] Some of the symptoms that often occur are diarrhea, weight loss, bloody stool, and abdominal pain. The first known human infection also known as the "Laredo strain" of Entamoebic mushkovskii was in Laredo, Texas in 1991, although it was first described by a man named Tshalaia in 1941 in Moscow, Russia.[2][3] It is known to affect people of all ages and genders.[4]
Symptoms
Entamoeba moshkovskiihas been identified in occasionally causing diarrhea with similar severity, duration, and age of onset to diarrhea acquired from E. histolytica. In murine models of mice, E. moshkovskii caused diarrhea, weight loss, and colitis. When children in Bangladesh were tested for intestinal issues, E. moshkovskii infection was associated with diarrhea.[5]
Characteristics
The exact characteristics of Entamoeba moshkovskii are "indistinguishable" from that of
Transmission
Entamoeba moshkovskii is transmitted by contact or ingestion of any unclean water sources. It is known to be found in areas with polluted water such as
Risk factors
Risk factors include the use or ingestion of polluted sources of water. Swimming in any areas with polluted water is also a risk. Most of the cases reported are in rural areas.[citation needed]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis with Entamoeba moshkovskii is difficult to do until symptoms appear. The amoeba will form cysts and trophozoites in the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Once symptoms start to occur, the standard means of diagnosing are a series of stool sample examinations and serological testing, and, if necessary, a colonoscopy or a biopsy of intestinal amebic legions or draining of liver abscesses (if present).
Treatment
Although treatments are still being researched, there are some ways to treat Entamoebic moshkovskii. Since this particular amoeba is resistant to emitin,[7] they typically treat using an anti-protozoan or antiamoebic therapy.[7] In tropical regions, anyone with cysts in their stool is treated with an anti-protozoan. According to health.harvard.edu, gastrointestinal amoebiasis is treated with nitroimidazole drugs, given orally or intravenously, to clear amoebas found within the blood, wall of the intestine, and the liver. Luminal drugs are used to eliminate the transmissible and air-resistant cyst forms found within the intestines. Nitroimidazole and luminal drugs are paired together when gastrointestinal symptoms caused by amoebiasis are present.[9]
Prevention
Preventive methods are to only utilize clean water sources – whether it be for ingestion, cleaning, or recreation – and good hygiene such as hand-washing.[citation needed]
References
- ^ PMID 12737742.
- ^ a b CID. "Atlas Protozoa".
- ^ PMID 22664420.
- ^ CID. "Congress of International Disease". Archived from the original on 2014-07-27.
- PMID 22723640.
- PMID 35727049.
- ^ PMID 17630338.
- PMID 17658567.
- ^ https://www.health.harvard.edu/digestive-health/gastrointestinal-amebiasis[full citation needed]