Entamoeba

A genus of protozoan parasites in the Entamoebidae family, infecting humans and other vertebrates. Entamoeba histolytica causes amoebiasis, a food- and water-borne illness marked by diarrhoea and dysentery. Prevention rests on safe water, sanitation and careful hygiene in food handling. Cysts of E. histolytica survive for weeks in moist environments and resist chlorination at normal drinking-water doses, so filtration or boiling is needed where water is unsafe. Foodborne transmission occurs via contaminated produce, infected food handlers and flies; diagnosis distinguishes pathogenic E. histolytica from harmless lookalikes such as E. dispar by antigen or PCR tests.