dysentery

Etiology

Amoebic dysentery

Amoebic dysentery is transmitted by contaminated water, and is well known as a "traveler's dysentery" because of its prevalence in developing nations, or "Montezuma's Revenge" although it is occasionally seen in industrialized countries. Liver infection, and subsequent amoebic abscesses can occur. It can be treated with metronidazole or related azole drugs.

Symptoms

The main symptom of epidemic dysentery is bloody diarrhea. Other common symptoms include abdominal cramps, fever and rectal pain. Less frequent complications can include a form of blood poisoning known as sepsis, seizure and kidney failure. A long term symptom of amoebic dysentery is dairy intolerance which can persist for years.

Tiny organisms are spread through contaminated food and water when either is swallowed. From ingestion, they move into the intestines via the stomach. Amoebae spread by forming infective cysts which can be found in stools and spread if whoever touches it does not wash their hands. There are also free amoebae, or trophozoites, that do not form cysts. Symptoms are most likely to appear in places with poor hygiene.

Treatment

In adults, dysentery caused by bacteria usually subsides spontaneously. But in children, and other vulnerable groups, the condition can be treated with antibiotics. However, Shigella dysenteriae type 1 (Sd1) has, in recent years, become increasingly resistant to drug treatments. Among people who have become dehydrated as a result of the disease, the key is to replenish their fluid stocks as quickly as possible. This can be done using oral rehydration salts or intravenous fluids. Amoebic dysentery is usually treated with a combination of drugs. These include an amoebicide to kill the parasite, an antibiotic to treat any associated bacterial infection, and a drug to combat infection of the liver and other tissues. The amoeba can damage the villi and inhibit lactase production (for which there is no permanent treatment). Lactase can be taken orally to assist dairy absorption.

Indigenous Treatment

The indigenous Oaxaca Chontal of the Mexican state of Oaxaca employed the plant Calea zacatechichi, also known as Dream Herb, Bitter Grass, as a cathartic anti-dysentery remedy.^[1]

Cultural significance

Dysentery was the cause of death of:

• Epicurus, the Greek philosopher (270 B.C.).
• Gan Ning, an important general of the Wu kingdom (218).
• Liu Bei, first emperor of the kingdom Shu Han (223).
• Henry the Young King of England (1183)
• King John of England (1216)
• King Louis VIII of France (1226)
• King Louis IX of France (1270)
• King Henry V of England (1422)
• Maria Celeste, first daughter of Galileo Galilei (1634)
• Nathaniel Bacon (1676)
• Sir Francis Drake (1596).
• Thomas Jefferson (1826). Most likely caused by ameobic dysentery.
• Juana María, "The Lone Woman of San Nicolas" (1853).
• Empress Dowager Cixi, who ruled China until 1908.
• Countless pioneers of the Oregon Trail
• Texas Guinan, (1933), famous Vaudeville star, Silent Film actress, and speakeasy proprietor during Prohibition,i.e. the "300 Club." Greeted her patrons with "Hello suckers!"
• Many victims of concentration camps in World War II. Some Allied POWs also fell victim to dysentery at the hands of the Japanese Empire, especially those involved in the construction of what has become known as the Death Railway.
• Fritz Pfeffer: A Jewish Dentist who stayed with Anne Frank during the World War II is believed to have caught this disease shortly after being in one of the death camps.
• Many of the captured soldiers at Andersonville Prison during the American Civil War.
• O. Uplavici was the fictional author of the article About dysentery whose name persisted in science literature for fifty years.
• Leo I, Byzantine Emperor
• The father of Elie Wiesel as depicted in his autobiography, Night (book). (1945)