Question

A patient showed symptoms of constipation, abdominal pain, and stools with excess mucus and blood cells. Name the disease and its pathogen. Where do these pathogens live in the victim’s body? Name the mechanical carrier that transmits this parasite.

Answer 1

Hint: Microorganisms that cause harm to the body (disease) are called pathogens. The mechanism employed by the pathogens, to enter a healthy body and cause disease, is called pathogenicity. Most diseases show signs and symptoms. Signs are the observable changes in the body like a skin rash that can be viewed by anyone. Symptoms are experienced by the patient, for example, nausea.

Complete answer:
The symptoms of constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, and excess mucus and blood cells in stool are seen in the case of amoebiasis. It is caused by Entamoeba histolytica, a parasitic organism. Some others of the Entamoeba group can also cause the disease. The disease-carrying organism is present in the human feces; houseflies could be the carrier organism of this pathogen. Houseflies are the mechanical carriers i.e. they do not get infected when transmitting the pathogen to other organisms.
The cysts of the organism when ingested cause the disease. These cysts can be found in the fecal matter of the infected person as well. The microscopic examination of the stool will show those cysts. A serological test can also be conducted to determine the presence of cysts.
Most of the people infected by this pathogen show no symptoms of the disease but they are still carriers of the disease. The antibiotic used to treat those cases is- metronidazole, chloroquine, iodoquinoline, etc.

Note: Amoebiasis infection could be detrimental in certain cases. Therefore, prevention is a safer alternative. There are basic steps that are taken irrespective of a threat, therefore should always be followed. They include: Hands should be properly washed after using the toilet or after gardening. Gloves should be used while gardening. Avoid eating food from the streets. Maintain hygienic conditions in the bathrooms.