What is Entamoeba coli Infection?
Entamoeba coli is a type of harmless micro-organism, or protozoa, found in humans. It spreads through contact between feces and mouth, and you can also find it in water that’s been contaminated. Normally, these micro-organisms live in the large intestine, and can be found when examining stool samples for diagnosis.
It’s vital to tell the difference between Entamoeba coli, which doesn’t cause illness, and similar organisms that do. In order to avoid confusion with a certain type of bacteria called Escherichia coli, the full name of this protozoa is usually used.
What Causes Entamoeba coli Infection?
Entamoeba coli, a type of bacteria, is passed from person to person through contact with feces. Mostly, people get infected by swallowing mature cysts – which are a sort of protective shell that the bacteria can form around itself – that end up in water or food sources that have been contaminated.
Risk Factors and Frequency for Entamoeba coli Infection
Entamoeba coli is a parasite that can be found all over the world. However, it is most commonly seen in areas with poor sanitation and mostly in rural areas. Older studies have shown that about 4.2% of all stool samples sent to diagnostic laboratories in the United States in 1987 were positive for this parasite.
Intestinal parasites like Entamoeba coli are quite common in developing countries. In a hospital in Iran, around 4.6% of random stool samples showed Entamoeba coli infection. Different areas in Iran showed varying prevalence from 2.9% to 6.8%. Prevalence as high as 11.4%, 11.5%, and 21.8% have been reported in other locations, and Turkey and India, respectively. In a hospital in Sudan, about 7% of the people tested positive for Entamoeba coli.
A study in Malawi, East Africa, involving 193 children reported Entamoeba coli in about 10.4% of them. In a random school in Sudan, the prevalence was slightly higher, at 7.5%. In rural school communities in Colombia, the prevalence can escalate to 25.7% to 35%. School children in rural areas in Yucatan, Mexico, and rural communities in Ecuador showed a prevalence of 26.5% and 34.0%, respectively. Even in developed countries like Switzerland, the prevalence can be as high as 8% amongst Swiss children.
- Entamoeba coli infection spreads through contaminated water and unwashed fresh vegetables.
- A study in Tunisia found parasite eggs in 12.5% of fresh vegetable samples, with Entamoeba coli representing 1.6% of the parasites found.
- A similar study in the United Arab Emirates found helminth eggs and protozoa cysts in 15.1% of the samples and Entamoeba coli composed 18.2% of that percentage.
- It’s important to handle raw vegetables properly to prevent infection with this parasite.
Signs and Symptoms of Entamoeba coli Infection
People who are infected with the organism called Entamoeba coli usually don’t experience any symptoms – this condition is often found by chance. If symptoms do occur, they are often very general and do not point directly to a problem with this particular organism. However, in some cases, it is essential to take a detailed health history and perform a physical exam if the person is experiencing diarrhea. In rare situations, people may have symptoms related to their gut, like loose stools, cramping stomach pain, and excessive gas. If the organism is present in large amounts in the digestive system, people may complain of stomach inflammation, indigestion, discomfort or a burning sensation in the abdomen, or increased stomach acidity. Usually, the stools of these individuals do not contain blood or mucus. While these symptoms can last a long time, it’s important to note that they can be caused by various conditions and are not specific to an Entamoeba coli infection.
Testing for Entamoeba coli Infection
If you’re feeling unwell and your doctor suspects that single-celled organisms called amoebae might be causing the problem, he or she may order ‘ova and parasite’ tests. These tests are performed by studying a sample of your stool (or feces) under a microscope. They can tell your doctor if there are any amoebae present, and also help identify the type of amoeba.
Getting this identification right is important, because not all amoebae make you sick. For example, the amoeba called Entamoeba coli usually lives in our guts without causing a problem. But another amoeba called Entamoeba histolytica can cause disease. So it’s critical to tell them apart.
Your doctor may need to analyze three different stool samples to get accurate results. Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica look very different under the microscope. Entamoeba histolytica typically has four ‘nuclei’ (or cores), while Entamoeba coli typically has eight. They also have other differences that can be seen under the microscope.
There are more advanced tests available as well if the standard ‘ova and parasite’ tests aren’t clear. These include genetic tests, like the polymerase chain reaction test and the reverse line hybridization assay. These tests can give very precise information about the type of amoeba present. They can even show slight differences within the same type of amoeba. However, these tests aren’t always available. But fear not, as the standard stool tests usually provide enough information to make a diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Entamoeba coli Infection
Entamoeba coli is a type of parasite, but it usually doesn’t cause any health problems. So, if you find out that you have this in your system, doctors typically won’t prescribe any treatment. They’ll simply advise you to keep your body strong and healthy and maintain good personal hygiene. This approach prevents further health complications.
Sometimes, people with Entamoeba coli might have symptoms like stomachaches or diarrhoea, but no other health problems can explain these symptoms. In these cases, doctors might decide to treat the infection. They do this because, even though it’s rare, this parasite has sometimes been found in people with long-term stomach pains or similar issues for which no other cause could be found.
To treat it, physicians might use a medication called diloxanide furoate. In one study, individuals dealing with stomach symptoms for several years, who were found to have only Entamoeba coli in their stool, were successfully treated with this medication. After the treatment, their symptoms cleared up, and further stool tests showed no signs of the infection.
Another effective medicine that can be used is metronidazole. Those treated with this drug commonly see an improvement in their symptoms within five days.
What else can Entamoeba coli Infection be?
If a patient only has Entamoeba coli in their stool, they typically don’t show any symptoms. When someone has diarrheal disease, however, several possible causes can be considered, such as:
- Bacteria like Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, or Clostridium difficile
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Ischemic bowel disease (lack of blood supply to the intestines)
If a test reveals a cyst or a protozoa in stool, there are several possible causes, including:
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Chilomastix mesnili
- Endolimax nana
- Entamoeba dispar
- Entamoeba hartmanni
- Entamoeba polecki
- Iodamoeba buetschlii
What to expect with Entamoeba coli Infection
People with Entamoeba coli generally have an excellent outlook, as most of them don’t show any symptoms.
Possible Complications When Diagnosed with Entamoeba coli Infection
People usually don’t show any symptoms from an infection caused by the Entamoeba coli parasite, so complications are rare. Also, no long-term issues have been reported due to this infection. Finding this type of non-harmful microorganism in the body often points to possible consumption of contaminated food or water, or poor hygiene practices related to handling food and waste.
Common Reasons for Entamoeba Coli Infection:
- Consumption of contaminated food or water
- Poor hygiene practices related to food handling or waste disposal
Preventing Entamoeba coli Infection
If you find the germ Entamoeba coli in your poop, it can stick around for anywhere between a few days to even years. Don’t worry though, you usually won’t need any treatment for it. The best way for you to lower the chance of catching bugs like Entamoeba coli is to wash your hands regularly and avoid eating or drinking anything that might be contaminated. This bug is found all around the world, but it’s more common in areas where cleanliness isn’t top-notch. Using good hygiene can reduce your risk of getting re-infected, and it actually works better than just taking medicine.
If you’re planning to visit an area where sanitation might be lacking, here’s some tips to keep you safe:
- Don’t drink water straight from the tap or well. Also, stay away from ice cubes because they’re usually made with tap water.
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and veggies that have been washed in tap or well water.
- It’s best to steer clear of food vendors on the street.
- Stick to drinking bottled drinks and also use bottled water to brush your teeth.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. This is especially important after you touch animals, before you eat, and after using the bathroom.
- If you have to drink water and bottled water isn’t available, boiling it first will kill any bugs.
- If you have to touch poop for any reason, make sure you put on gloves first.
