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How is amoeba infection transmitted?

Jul 04, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Ameba infection generally occurs through ingestion of contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, contact with contaminated soil, use of contaminated contact lens solution, or through broken skin or mucous membranes. Vegetables and fruits contaminated with ameba cysts, or undercooked meat, seafood, and other foods, if consumed without thorough washing or heat treatment, allow the cysts to enter the digestive tract.

Amoeba infections generally occur through the consumption of contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, contact with contaminated soil, using contaminated contact lens solutions, or through skin or mucous membrane injuries. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Consuming contaminated food: Vegetables or fruits contaminated with amoebic cysts, or undercooked meat or seafood, if consumed without thorough washing or heat treatment, can allow the cysts to enter the digestive tract. Under favorable intestinal conditions, the cysts transform into trophozoites, which invade the intestinal wall and cause infection.

2. Drinking contaminated water: Consuming untreated or undisinfected natural water sources, such as river, lake, or pond water, or tap water from a contaminated supply system, may introduce amoebic cysts or trophozoites into the body through the mouth, leading to infection via the digestive tract.

3. Contact with contaminated soil: Direct hand contact with soil contaminated by amoebas, especially when there are wounds or skin breaks on the hands, may allow the parasites to enter the body through the wounds. Alternatively, failure to wash hands promptly after contact with contaminated soil, followed by touching mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose, or eyes, can also lead to infection.

4. Using contaminated contact lens solutions: Contact lens solutions contaminated with Acanthamoeba may fail to properly clean or disinfect lenses. During lens wear, the organisms may adhere to the lens surface, come into contact with corneal tissue, and cause ocular infections, such as keratitis.

5. Contact through skin or mucous membrane injuries: When the skin has wounds or ulcers, or when mucous membranes in the nose, mouth, or eyes are damaged, direct contact with contaminated water or soil containing amoebas can allow the organisms to enter the body through these openings, spread via the bloodstream to other organs, and cause infection.

In daily life, maintaining good hygiene practices, such as thoroughly washing and cooking food, and consuming safe water sources; washing hands promptly after contact with soil; properly caring for contact lenses using approved solutions; and avoiding contact between contaminated substances and injured skin or mucous membranes can help reduce the risk of amoeba infection.

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