Question

Amoebiasis can be prevented by
A. Eating balanced food
B. Eating plenty of fruits
C. Drinking boiled water
D. Using mosquito nets

Answer 1

Hint: Entamoeba histolytica is responsible for causing amoebiasis disease. It is a protozoan disease. It is found in the large intestine as well as the lower parts of the small intestine in human beings.

Complete answer:
The mode of transmission of amoebiasis is due to the ingestion of cysts with foods and drinks which are carried by flies from faeces to the foods and drinks. Housefly acts as a mechanical carrier. Coming to the structure of entamoeba , it has an irregular body and moves along with the help of pseudopodia. It mainly has holozoic nutrition. Entamoeba secrets a proteolytic enzyme known as cytolysin that leads to disturbance in the mucous membrane of the intestine which leads to stools with excessive mucus and blood clots. This parasite invades mucous membranes and is carried by the bloodstream to the other organs of the body. It can also lead to bleeding ulcers. Symptoms include fever, constipation, abdominal pain and cramps. The several preventive measures to be taken are washing the hands regularly with soap before eating or handling food, protection of food from flies with the help of covering the food always, proper cooking of food to destroy the cysts, washing the vegetables and fruits before consuming, and disposal of human faeces by underground sewerage system.

Hence, the correct option for this is option D i.e. Using mosquito nets.

Note:
Entamoeba histolytica completes its life cycle in a single host and is therefore known as monogenetic. It from time to time forms rounded cysts that escape along with the host’s faeces. Therefore, educating people in simple hygiene can help to cope with this as it spreads through contaminated food and water.