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Entamoeba polecki Infection
(ENT-a-ME-ba po-leh-key)
What is Entamoeba polecki?
In what parts of the world have people become infected with Entamoeba polecki?
How is infection with Entamoeba polecki spread to people?
How common is Entamoeba polecki infection?
How is infection with Entamoeba polecki diagnosed?
Does Entamoeba polecki make people sick?
What should I do if I think I am infected with Entamoeba polecki?
Is medication available to treat infection with Entamoeba polecki?
How can I prevent Entamoeba polecki infection?
When traveling overseas in countries where food and water could be
unsafe:
Should I be concerned about spreading infection to the rest of my
household?
For more information:
What is Entamoeba polecki?
Entamoeba polecki is a parasite that lives in the large
intestine of pigs and monkeys. It sometimes infects other animals and
people.
In what parts of the world have people become infected with Entamoeba polecki?
In many parts of the world. Two of the most common places
have been Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea.
How is infection with Entamoeba polecki spread to people?
We do not know very much about how this parasite is spread.
Some infected people have had contact with animals, such as pigs; other
people have not. We think people can become infected by
- touching
and bringing to their mouths something, such as a finger, that
has touched the stool of a person or animal that is infected with
E. polecki;
- touching
and bringing to their mouths E. polecki picked up from contaminated
surfaces; and
- swallowing
something, such as water or food, contaminated with E. polecki.
How common is Entamoeba polecki infection?
We do not know. But we think it is rare.
How is infection with Entamoeba polecki diagnosed?
This parasite is found by looking at stool samples under
a microscope. Your health care provider may ask you to submit several
samples from different days.
Does Entamoeba polecki make people sick?
We are not sure whether E. polecki can make people sick.
Many people who are infected with E. polecki feel fine. Some people have
symptoms such as loose stools, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, stomach
pain, loss of weight, and fatigue. Since we are not sure whether E. polecki
can make people sick, it is important to look for other possible causes
of the symptoms. For example, abdominal symptoms could be caused by other
types of infection, medications, food allergies, and diseases such as
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
What should I do if I think I am infected with Entamoeba polecki?
See your health care provider.
Is medication available to treat infection with Entamoeba polecki?
Yes. Safe and effective drugs are available if your health care provider decides your infection should be treated.
How can I prevent Entamoeba polecki infection?
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially after using the toilet, changing diapers, and touching animals and before preparing foods.
- Teach children the importance of washing their hands to prevent infection.
When traveling overseas in countries where food and water could be unsafe:
- Select beverages and foods with care.
- Do not drink unboiled tap water. Beverages, such as coffee and tea, made with boiled water are safe to drink, as are bottled or canned carbonated beverages, seltzers, and pasteurized fruit drinks.
- Eat food that has been cooked well and is served hot. Avoid salads, uncooked vegetables, and fresh fruit that was peeled or cut by someone other than yourself.
Should I be concerned about spreading infection to the rest of my
household?
No. If you practice good personal hygiene, including thorough hand washing, there is little risk of spreading infection.
For more information:
Lawless DK, Knight V. Human infection with Entamoeba polecki: report of four cases. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1966;15:701-4.
DeGirolami PC, Kimber J. Intestinal parasites among Southeast Asian refugees
in Massachusetts. Am J Clin Pathol 1983;79:502-4.
Gay JD, Abell TL, Thompson JH, Loth V. Entamoeba polecki infection in
Southeast Asian refugees: multiple cases of a rarely reported parasite.
Mayo Clin Proc 1985;60:523-30.
Desowitz RS, Barnish G. Entamoeba polecki and other intestinal protozoa
in Papua New Guinea highland children. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 1986;80:399-402.
This fact sheet is for
information only and is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a
substitute for consultation with a health care provider. If you have any
questions about the disease described above or think that you may have a
parasitic infection, consult a health care provider.
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