In 1977 John a 23year old man went on a fishing trip in Minn

In 1977, John, a 23-year old man went on a fishing trip in Minnesota. Ten days after he from returned home, John began to have nausea, gas, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. When his symptoms lasted for 12 days he decided to go to the doctor. He didn’t have a fever, but he had lost weight. The doctor took his history and three stool samples over a period of 5 days. The antigen test using the stool sample was positive for a parasite. Furthermore, under microscopic examination, cysts and trophozoites could be seen on the slide. The doctor prescribed metronidazole (but nitazoxanide could also have been prescribed) which eventually cleared the infection completely.

1.) What is the possible diagnosis for John? Why?

2.) Which is the most likely diagnosis? Why? What is the name of the causal agent?

Solution

1.John suffered from intestinal infection called Amoebiasis which is is transmitted through contaminated food and water.As cysts are not shed continously, that\'s why for this infection minimum of three stool tests examination are required. Since, John was not having fever so for his asymptomatic infection ,stool examinations were carried out.Incase of symptomatic infections, the motile form of trophozoites can be easily seen in fresh faecal matter (stool).

2.John has intestinal infection called Amoebiasis.The drug Metronidazole prescribed by the doctor is used for the treatment of infections caused by bacteria or parasites in the gastrointestinal tract.The causative agent is Entamoeba histolytica.