How are amebiasis infections diagnosed?
Diagnosis of amebiasis can be difficult because amebic colitis (inflammation of the colon) is often confused with a variety of inflammatory bowel diseases. Infection is diagnosed by examining a stool sample under a microscope to look for the parasite. Because amebiasis can be difficult to diagnose and because the number of ameba found in the stool changes from day to day, more than one stool sample might be needed from different days. A blood test is available, but recommended only when it is suspected that the parasite has invaded other parts of the body.
