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Colorectal Parasitic Infections: Invasive Entamoeba histolytica and Its Role in Colonic and Hepatic Disease

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Parasitic Disease in Clinical Practice

Part of the book series: The Bloomsbury Series in Clinical Science ((BLOOMSBURY))

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Abstract

In all developing Third World countries — both tropical and subtropical — socioeconomic conditions and standards of hygiene and sanitation are less than perfect. In consequence human infection with a large range of colorectal parasites is common (Cook 1980, 1986a,b, 1988, 1989). Travellers and tourists are also frequently infected and a ‘high index of suspicion’ is required if this group of diseases is to be diagnosed (Walker and Williams 1985). Recently, intestinal parasitic infections have received considerable prominence in relation to immunosuppression (Chaps. 2 and 4) (Cook 1980, 1986b), and this is especially so in patients with HIV infections and in particular those with the end-stage AIDS syndrome (Casemore et al. 1985); active male homosexuals who are HIV-negative are also at a significantly greater risk from some of these infections (Weller 1985).

Recall from Time’s abysmal chasm That piece of primal protoplasm The First Amoeba, strangely splendid, From whom we’re all of us descended. Arthur Guiterman (1871–1943), Ode to the Amoeba

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College Hospital, UK

    G. C. Cook MD, DSc, FRCP, FRACP, FLS (Consultant Physician, Medical Specialist, Lecturer in Medicine, Professor of Medicine in the Universities of Zambia, Riyadh and Papua New Guinea)

  2. St Luke’s Hospital for the Clergy, UK

    G. C. Cook MD, DSc, FRCP, FRACP, FLS (Consultant Physician, Medical Specialist, Lecturer in Medicine, Professor of Medicine in the Universities of Zambia, Riyadh and Papua New Guinea)

  3. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK

    G. C. Cook MD, DSc, FRCP, FRACP, FLS (Consultant Physician, Medical Specialist, Lecturer in Medicine, Professor of Medicine in the Universities of Zambia, Riyadh and Papua New Guinea)

  4. Royal Nigerian Army, Nigeria

    G. C. Cook MD, DSc, FRCP, FRACP, FLS (Consultant Physician, Medical Specialist, Lecturer in Medicine, Professor of Medicine in the Universities of Zambia, Riyadh and Papua New Guinea)

  5. Makerere University, Uganda

    G. C. Cook MD, DSc, FRCP, FRACP, FLS (Consultant Physician, Medical Specialist, Lecturer in Medicine, Professor of Medicine in the Universities of Zambia, Riyadh and Papua New Guinea)

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Cook, G.C. (1990). Colorectal Parasitic Infections: Invasive Entamoeba histolytica and Its Role in Colonic and Hepatic Disease. In: Parasitic Disease in Clinical Practice. The Bloomsbury Series in Clinical Science. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1769-8_6

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