Hepatic Entamoebiasis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica. The word is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /hɪˈpætɪk ɛntə'mi:bɪəsɪs/. The first part of the word, "hepatic," refers to the liver, which is often affected by the disease. The second part, "entamoebiasis," refers to the infection caused by the Entamoeba histolytica parasite. Proper spelling of medical terms is critical for clear communication and accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Hepatic entamoebiasis is a medical condition characterized by the presence of Entamoeba histolytica, a parasitic amoeba, in the liver. It is a type of amoebic infection that specifically affects the liver.
The condition typically occurs after the ingestion of contaminated food or water containing the infective cysts of Entamoeba histolytica. Once inside the body, the cysts release trophozoites, the active form of the parasite, which invade the intestinal wall and may subsequently travel to the liver through the bloodstream. The trophozoites primarily infect the liver cells, leading to the development of abscesses or localized areas of pus formation within the hepatic tissue.
Common symptoms of hepatic entamoebiasis may include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and an enlarged liver. However, in some cases, the infection may be asymptomatic or present with very mild symptoms. If left untreated, hepatic entamoebiasis can lead to serious complications, such as liver abscess rupture, spread of the infection to other organs, and even death.
Diagnosis of hepatic entamoebiasis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and imaging studies, including serology, stool analysis, and liver ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan. Treatment usually consists of antiparasitic medications, such as metronidazole or tinidazole, to eliminate the parasite, along with the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
Prevention of hepatic entamoebiasis primarily involves promoting good personal hygiene, such as handwashing with soap and clean water before meals and after using the toilet, as well as consuming safe and clean food and water.
The word "hepatic" originates from the Latin word "hepar" meaning "liver". It is commonly used in medical terminology to refer to anything related to the liver.
"Entamoebiasis" is derived from "Entamoeba", a genus of Amoebozoa that includes microorganisms capable of causing various diseases, and the suffix "-iasis", which means "condition" or "disease".
Therefore, "Hepatic Entamoebiasis" refers to a condition or disease that affects the liver caused by the microorganism Entamoeba.