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Amoebic Infections and Treatments
Research Guide
What is Amoebic Infections and Treatments?
Amoebic infections and treatments refer to the study of pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical management, and therapeutic interventions for amoebiasis caused primarily by Entamoeba histolytica, including laboratory techniques, cysteine proteases in disease mechanisms, epidemiology, percutaneous drainage for complications like pyogenic liver abscesses, and host immune responses.
The field encompasses 43,490 works on Entamoeba histolytica infections and related conditions such as pyogenic liver abscesses. Key areas include laboratory diagnosis, cysteine proteases in pathogenesis, and percutaneous drainage procedures. Research also addresses epidemiology and host immune responses to these infections.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Entamoeba histolytica Cysteine Proteases
Researchers investigate the structure, function, and role of cysteine proteases secreted by Entamoeba histolytica in host tissue invasion and immune evasion. Studies focus on protease inhibitors as potential therapeutic targets and their contribution to amoebic pathogenesis.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Amoebiasis
This area examines advanced serological, microscopic, and molecular techniques like PCR for detecting Entamoeba histolytica in stool and tissue samples. Researchers compare diagnostic accuracy and develop point-of-care tests to differentiate pathogenic from non-pathogenic Entamoeba species.
Epidemiology of Entamoeba histolytica Infections
Studies map global prevalence, risk factors, and transmission dynamics of Entamoeba histolytica in developing countries, including waterborne and foodborne outbreaks. Researchers analyze molecular epidemiology using genotyping to track strains and inform public health strategies.
Host Immune Response to Amoebiasis
Research explores innate and adaptive immune mechanisms against Entamoeba histolytica, including cytokine profiles, mucosal immunity, and T-cell responses. Investigations include immune evasion strategies by the parasite and correlates of protection in resistant populations.
Percutaneous Drainage of Pyogenic Liver Abscess
This sub-topic covers clinical outcomes, techniques, and antibiotic protocols for ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of pyogenic liver abscesses often misdiagnosed as amoebic. Researchers evaluate success rates, complications, and integration with systemic therapies.
Why It Matters
Amoebic infections like amoebiasis from Entamoeba histolytica cause significant morbidity in endemic areas, with treatments focusing on antiparasitic drugs and management of complications such as liver abscesses via percutaneous drainage. "Amoebiasis" by Samuel L. Stanley (2003) details clinical features and therapeutic options, informing global health strategies for invasive disease. Laboratory diagnosis advances, as in the axenic cultivation medium developed by Diamond et al. (1978), enable precise identification and drug testing, reducing misdiagnosis in resource-limited settings. These approaches impact infectious disease control by improving outcomes in pyogenic liver abscess cases linked to amoebic etiology.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Amoebiasis" by Samuel L. Stanley (2003) provides a foundational clinical overview of Entamoeba histolytica infections, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatments, making it the ideal starting point for understanding core concepts.
Key Papers Explained
"Amoebiasis" by Samuel L. Stanley (2003) offers a broad synthesis of disease mechanisms and management, building on foundational cultivation techniques in "A new medium for the axenic cultivation of Entamoeba histolytica and other Entamoeba" by Louis S. Diamond, Dan R. Harlow, Carol C. Cunnick (1978), which enabled lab-based studies of parasite biology. Stanley (2003) likely incorporates insights from such methods for diagnostic advancements. Related works like "Characterization of ameboid microglia isolated from developing mammalian brain" by Dana Giulian, T J Baker (1986) touch on ameboid cell behaviors but connect peripherally to immune responses in infections.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Current research emphasizes host immune responses and cysteine protease roles in Entamoeba histolytica pathogenesis, alongside percutaneous drainage for liver abscesses. No recent preprints available, so frontiers involve refining epidemiological models and laboratory diagnostics from established papers like Stanley (2003) and Diamond et al. (1978).
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Expert consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of cystic and... | 2009 | Acta Tropica | 2.1K | ✓ |
| 2 | Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1): A novel biomarker for human ... | 2002 | Kidney International | 1.9K | ✓ |
| 3 | A new medium for the axenic cultivation of Entamoeba histolyti... | 1978 | Transactions of the Ro... | 1.9K | ✕ |
| 4 | Cachectin: More Than a Tumor Necrosis Factor | 1987 | New England Journal of... | 1.4K | ✕ |
| 5 | Health promotion planning: An educational and environmental ap... | 1992 | Patient Education and ... | 1.4K | ✓ |
| 6 | Characterization of ameboid microglia isolated from developing... | 1986 | Journal of Neuroscience | 1.3K | ✓ |
| 7 | Cryptosporidium spp. and cryptosporidiosis | 1986 | Microbiological Reviews | 1.2K | ✓ |
| 8 | Genetic variants within the genus Echinococcus identified by m... | 1992 | Molecular and Biochemi... | 1.2K | ✕ |
| 9 | Enteral Versus Parenteral Feeding Effects on Septic Morbidity ... | 1992 | Annals of Surgery | 1.2K | ✓ |
| 10 | Amoebiasis | 2003 | The Lancet | 1.1K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of Entamoeba histolytica in amoebiasis?
Entamoeba histolytica is the primary pathogen causing amoebiasis, leading to intestinal and extraintestinal infections including pyogenic liver abscesses. "Amoebiasis" by Samuel L. Stanley (2003) describes its pathogenesis involving tissue invasion. Cysteine proteases contribute to host cell damage and immune evasion in these infections.
How is Entamoeba histolytica cultivated for diagnosis and research?
"A new medium for the axenic cultivation of Entamoeba histolytica and other Entamoeba" by Louis S. Diamond, Dan R. Harlow, Carol C. Cunnick (1978) introduced a medium supporting parasite growth without host cells. This enables laboratory diagnosis and testing of treatments. The method yields pure cultures for studying pathogenesis and drug susceptibility.
What treatments are used for amoebic liver abscesses?
Percutaneous drainage combined with antiparasitic therapy manages pyogenic liver abscesses associated with amoebic infections. Host immune responses influence treatment success in these cases. Clinical management follows protocols addressing both parasitic and bacterial components.
What diagnostic techniques apply to amoebic infections?
Laboratory diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica relies on microscopy, antigen detection, and culture methods. The axenic medium by Diamond et al. (1978) supports confirmatory cultivation. Epidemiology data aids in identifying high-risk populations for targeted screening.
How do cysteine proteases contribute to amoebic pathogenesis?
Cysteine proteases secreted by Entamoeba histolytica degrade host tissues and modulate immune responses during invasion. This facilitates progression to abscess formation in organs like the liver. Pathogenesis studies highlight their role in clinical severity.
What is the current scope of research on amoebic infections?
Research covers 43,490 papers on diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiology of Entamoeba histolytica infections. Key works include Stanley (2003) on amoebiasis overview and Diamond et al. (1978) on cultivation. Gaps persist in immune response mechanisms and new therapies.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can improved cultivation methods beyond Diamond et al. (1978) enhance drug screening for Entamoeba histolytica resistance?
- ? What specific host immune factors determine progression from intestinal amoebiasis to pyogenic liver abscesses?
- ? Which cysteine protease inhibitors most effectively block Entamoeba histolytica pathogenesis in vivo?
- ? How does Entamoeba histolytica epidemiology vary across regions, and what surveillance improves early detection?
- ? What combination therapies optimize outcomes for percutaneous drainage in amoebic liver abscesses?
Recent Trends
The field includes 43,490 works with no specified 5-year growth rate available.
Established papers like "Amoebiasis" by Samuel L. Stanley (2003, 1119 citations) and "A new medium for the axenic cultivation of Entamoeba histolytica and other Entamoeba" by Diamond et al. (1978, 1862 citations) remain central.
No recent preprints or news coverage reported in the last 12 months.
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