Which organism is responsible for causing amoebic dysentery?

Amoebic dysentery, also known as amoebiasis, is caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. This organism invades the intestinal wall and can lead to severe gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. The infection typically occurs through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, and the presence of the cyst form of the organism in the environment facilitates its transmission.

While other organisms listed may cause gastrointestinal issues, they are not responsible for amoebic dysentery. Giardia lamblia, for example, causes giardiasis, a different type of intestinal infection characterized by diarrhea and stomach cramps. Cryptosporidium parvum is associated with cryptosporidiosis, another type of diarrheal infection that can also come from contaminated water. Shigella dysenteriae is a bacterium that causes bacillary dysentery or shigellosis, which is distinct in its causative agent and pathogenesis compared to amoebic dysentery. Therefore, the identification of Entamoeba histolytica as the causative agent of amoebic dysentery is crucial for understanding and managing this infectious disease.