Question

The most common organ involved in extra intestinal amoebiasis is
A) Liver
B) Lungs
C) Brain
D) Spleen

Answer 1

Hint: Amoebiasis is a common infection of the human gastro- intestinal tract. The infection can spread from the intestines to other organs. It is caused by protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica.

Complete Answer:
- Amoebiasis is a common infection caused by Entamoeba. Transmission occurs through the faecal-oral route, directly by eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
- It can cause asymptomatic infections, loose motions, diarrhoea as well as extraintestinal amoebiasis.
- Extraintestinal amoebiasis occurs when the parasite spreads to other organs commonly in the liver. In the liver it causes amoebic liver abscess. Its symptoms are fever and abdominal pain.
- The infections occur in the intestine and in the tissues mainly liver. The symptoms are treated by an amoebicidal tissue active agent.
- Pulmonary amoebiasis occurs from liver lesions and spreads through blood to lung and pleural cavity.
- Cutaneous amoebiasis occurs in skin at the site of drainage of liver abscess.

Thus the correct answer is A. The most common organ involved in extraintestinal amoebiasis is liver.

Additional Information: Approximately 70,000 people die each year from liver abscesses. Infection is common in areas which are warm and moist. The parasitic cysts live longer in warm environments. It mainly occurs due to poor hygiene.

Note: Poor sanitation conditions can lead to amoebiasis. It affects the gastro-intestinal tract. Extra intestinal amoebiasis mostly affects the liver and causes liver abscess. It can spread to other organs through blood stream.