amebic dysentery

amebic

 [ah-me´bik]

pertaining to, caused by, or of the nature of, an ameba.

amebic dysentery a form of dysentery caused by Entamoeba histolytica and spread by contaminated food, water, and flies; it was formerly thought to be a purely tropical disease, but it is now known that many cases occur throughout the United States. It is usually less acute and virulent than bacillary dysentery, but it frequently becomes chronic. Symptoms are diarrhea, fatigue, and intestinal bleeding. Complications include involvement of the liver, liver abscess, and pulmonary abscess. For treatment several drugs are available, for example, emetine hydrochloride and chloroquine, which may be used singly or in combination. Called also intestinal amebiasis.

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dysentery

 [dis´en-ter″e]

any of a number of disorders marked by inflammation of the intestine, especially of the colon, with abdominal pain, tenesmus, and frequent stools often containing blood and mucus. The causative agent may be chemical irritants, bacteria, protozoa, viruses, or parasitic worms. adj., adj dysenter´ic. Dysentery is less prevalent today than in years past because of improved sanitary facilities throughout the world; it was formerly a common occurrence in crowded parts of the world and it particularly plagued army camps. It can be dangerous to infants, children, the elderly, and others who are in a weakened condition.

In dysentery, there is an unusually fluid discharge of stool from the bowels, as well as fever, stomach cramps, and spasms of involuntary straining to evacuate, with the passage of little feces. The stool is often mixed with pus and mucus and may be streaked with blood.

amebic dysentery see amebic dysentery.

bacillary dysentery see bacillary dysentery.

viral dysentery a form caused by a virus, occurring in epidemics and marked by acute watery diarrhea. It is common in travelers who have eaten raw salads or fruit, or used contaminated tableware. With proper care, it should subside in 12 to 72 hours.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

a·me·bic dys·en·ter·y

diarrhea resulting from ulcerative inflammation of the colon, caused chiefly by infection with Entamoeba histolytica; may be mild or severe and also may be associated with amebic infection of other organs.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

amebic dysentery

or

amoebic dysentery

(ə-mē′bĭk)

n.

A severe form of amebiasis affecting the intestines, characterized by fever, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

amebic dysentery

Parasitology A clinical form of amebiasis–due to Entamoeba histolytica, which is characterized by diarrhea, and accompanied by ulcerative inflammation, which mimics ulcerative colitis. See Amebiasis.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

a·me·bic dys·en·te·ry

(ă-mē'bik dis'ĕn-ter'ē)

Gastrointestinal disorder resulting from ulcerative inflammation of the colon, caused chiefly by infection with Entamoeba histolytica; may be associated with amebic infection of other organs; characterized by frequent loose stools containing blood and mucus.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012