Amebic dysentery, which is also known as amebiasis, is the result of a parasitic infection that commonly affects the intestines. It is caused by Entamoeba histolytica and is most commonly found in underdeveloped areas. Infection comes from eating swallowing cysts from contaminated food or water. Amebic dysentery is usually treated with fluids and medications.
Symptoms
The milder symptoms of amebic dysentery typically involve the digestive system, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. These mild symptoms include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, bloating, gas, as well as rectal pain that occurs during bowel movements. Patients may also be fatigued and experience unintentional weight loss. More severe symptoms include bloody stools, vomiting and nausea. Severe infections can also cause the abdomen to become tender and a fever.
Amebicide
Most cases of amebic dysentery are treated with medications known as amebicides, the Merck Manual explains. Ambecides include the drug metronidazole and tinidazole. These two medications can be taken orally; metronidazole typically requires multiple doses to be effective, whereas tinidazole can cure amebic dysentery with a single dose. Although these drugs can be used to treat amebiasis, they also can be used to treat some kinds of bacterial infections.
Side Effects
Tinidazole is often used instead of metronidazole for the treatment of amebiasis because it causes fewer side effects. Nevertheless, patients should avoid alcohol consumption for a few days after taking either metronidazole or tinidazole because the combination of these medications and alcohol can cause severe nausea, Drugs.com explains. These medications can also cause diarrhea, darkened urine and a metallic taste in the mouth. Other side effects include muscle aches and joint pain as well as dizziness. Patients taking amebic medications also are more likely to develop yeast infections of the vagina or candida infestations in the mouth.
Iodoquinol
Amebic dysentery can also kill cause cysts to appear in the large intestine and liver. In severe cases, amebiasis also can affect the brain. In these cases, according to the Merck Manual, an additional drug may need to be added to the treatment regimen. One such drug, called iodoquinol, belongs to a class of medications known as halogenated hydroxyquinolone, which can also be used to treat different kinds of bacterial infections.
Iodoquinol Side Effects
Iodoquinol can cause certain side effects, according to Drugs.com. These include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea and itching around the anus. The drug also can cause changes in vision, dizziness, muscle weakness and pain, and a sensation of tingling or numbness in various parts of the body. These latter side effects require medical attention as they can be a sign of neurological damage.
