Which is the specific agent of amebiasis?

The specific agent of amebiasis is Entamoeba histolytica. This protozoan parasite is responsible for causing amebic dysentery, a disease characterized by severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in some cases, can lead to serious complications such as abscesses in the liver. Entamoeba histolytica is particularly notable because it can invade the intestinal lining and cause ulceration, distinguishing it from non-pathogenic species like Entamoeba coli, which is often present in the gut but does not cause disease.

Additionally, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum are associated with different gastrointestinal infections; Giardia lamblia causes giardiasis and Cryptosporidium parvum is responsible for cryptosporidiosis. Neither of these microbes is related to the pathology of amebiasis. Thus, recognizing Entamoeba histolytica as the causative agent of amebiasis is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment in public health and environmental health contexts.