title: Amebiasis and "nonpathogenic" intestinal protozoa.
abstract: Infection with single or multiple species of intestinal protozoa is common in humans and can result in either asymptomatic colonization or symptoms of intestinal disease. Entamoeba histolytica serves as a paradigm for invasive colonic protozoal infection. The key to diagnosis and treatment of amebiasis is knowledge of the epidemiologic risk factors and clinical manifestations, a rational approach to diagnosis, and an understanding of the sites of action and uses of anti-amebic drugs. This knowledge of treatment provides a context for consideration of intestinal infection with less common protozoan pathogens such as Dientamoeba fragilis and Balantidium coli and 'nonpathogenic' protozoa such as Blastocystis hominis and Entamoeba coli.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Case Western University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Aucott
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Ravdin
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; D000328:Adult; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology