All Notes

Amoebic and Bacillary dysentery: Introduction, Differences, and Keynotes

Introduction of Amoebic dysentery and Bacillary dysentery

Amoebic dysentery or amoebiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a unicellular (protozoan) parasite, Entamoeba histolytica whereas bacillary dysentery or shigellosis is a bacterial disease caused by a group of non-motile bacteria called Shigella species.

Fig. Amoebic dysentery and Bacillary dysentery images

Differences between Amoebic dysentery and Bacillary dysentery

The differences between Amoebic dysentery and Bacillary dysentery are as follows-

FeaturesAmoebic dysenteryBacillary dysentery
EpidemiologyEndemicEpidemic
SymptomatologyLocalized abdominal tendernessGeneralized abdominal tenderness
Pathology
Flask-shaped ulcer with the involvement of all coats of the intestine.
Only superficial inflammation with diffuse necrosis of mucus membrane.
ComplicationSevere hemorrage and peritonitis.Polyarthritis may occur.
Macroscopic
Number6-8 motions per a day>10 motions a day
AmountRelatively copiousSmall
OdorOffensive/fishy odorOdorless
ColorDark red (due to altered blood)Bright Red ( because of fresh blood)
NatureBlood and mucus mixed with fecesBlood and mucus, no feces
ReactionAcidAlkaline
ConsistencyFluid mucus not adherent to the containerViscid mucus adherent to the bottom of the container
RBCsIn clumps, reddish-yellow in colorDiscrete or in rouleaux, bright red in color
Pus cellsScantyNumerous
MacrophageVery fewLarge and numerous, many of them contain RBC and thus
mistaken of Entamoeba histolytica
EosinophilsPresentScare
Pyknotic bodiesVery commonNil
Ghost CellsNilNumerous
ParasiteTrophozoites of Entamoeba histolyticaNil
BacteriaMany Motile bacteriaNon-motile (Since Shigella species are non-motile)
Charcot-Leyden (CL) CrystalsPresentNil
Cultivation
Growth on MacConkey medium (MAC)Intestinal flora may grow.Pure culture of non-lactose fermenter colonies of Shigella may be observed.
Table: Amoebic Vs Bacillary dysentery

Keynotes

  1. Other bacteria like Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC), Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), Campylobacter species, and Salmonella species may also cause dysentery.
  2. Charcot-Leyden (CL) crystals are the indicators of parastic diseases and they are hexagonal bipyramidal structures, formed from the breakdown of eosinophils. They may be seen in the stool or sputum of patients with parasitic diseases as showin in Amoebic dysentery and Bacillary dysentery Footages.
  3. Pyknotic bodies are the nuclear remains of tissue cells and white blood cells, they may present in the stools of persons suffering from amoebiasis.
  4. Ghost cells are swollen/enlarged epithelial cells with only cytoplasmic outlines but without a nucleus as showin in ‘Amoebic dysentery and Bacillary dysentery Footages’.

Amoebic dysentery and Bacillary dysentery Footages

RBCs in clumps of Amoebic dysentery feces in wet mount microscopy

Fig. RBCs in clumps of Amoebic dysentery feces in wet mount microscopy

Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica ,numerous RBCs and occasional pus cells in wet mount microscopy of Amoebic dysentery stool

Fig. Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica, numerous RBCs, and occasional pus cells in wet mount microscopy of Amoebic dysentery stool

Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica in LPCB preparation of feces microscopy

Fig. Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica in LPCB preparation of feces microscopy

Entamoeba histolytica Cyst in saline wet mount Stool Microscopy at 1200X

Fig. Entamoeba histolytica Cyst in saline wet mount Stool Microscopy at 1200X

Cyst of Entamoeba histolytica in iodine wet mount Stool Microscopy

Fig. Cyst of Entamoeba histolytica in iodine wet mount Stool Microscopy

Stool sample of Bacillary dysentery demonstration

Fig. Stool sample of Bacillary dysentery demonstration

Bacillary dysentery stool in wet mount microscopy showing numerous pus cells and RBCs

Fig. Bacillary dysentery stool in wet mount microscopy showing numerous pus cells and RBCs

Discrete and in rouleaux RBCS of Bacillary dysentery demonstration

Fig. Discrete and in rouleaux RBCS of Bacillary dysentery demonstration

Packed Pus cells and numerous RBCs and ghost cells in stool of Bacillary dysentery

Fig. Packed Pus cells and numerous RBCs and ghost cells in the stool of Bacillary dysentery

Numerous Pus cells and ghost cells in Bacillary dysentery

Fig. Numerous Pus cells and ghost cells in Bacillary dysentery

Charcot- Leyden (CL) crystal in Stool Microscopy

Fig. Charcot- Leyden (CL) crystal in Stool Microscopy

CL Crystals in pleural fluid Microscopy

Fig. CL Crystals in pleural fluid Microscopy

Further Readings

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/enteroinvasive-escherichia-coli
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC121379/
  3. https://universe84a.com/entamoeba-histolytica-introduction/
  4. https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/dysentery
  5. https://universe84a.com/shigella-species/
  6. https://www.britannica.com/science/dysentery
Medical Lab Notes

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