Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic amoeba that infects the intestines and can cause amoebic dysentery, which leads to severe diarrhea with blood and mucus.
Related terms
Amoebic dysentery: A condition characterized by inflammation of the intestines due to infection by Entamoeba histolytica or other amoebas.
Parasite: An organism that lives on or inside another organism (host) and obtains nutrients from it. Entamoeba histolytica is an example of a parasitic organism.
Protozoa: Single-celled organisms belonging to the kingdom Protista. Entamoeba histolytica is classified as a protozoan parasite.