Entamoeba dispar

Entamoeba dispar is a microscopic parasite closely related to Entamoeba histolytica, which causes intestinal illness. Unlike its pathogenic cousin, E. dispar generally does not cause symptoms or disease. It lives harmlessly in the human gut, often without being noticed. E. dispar is transmitted through contaminated food or water, mainly in areas with poor sanitation. Although it looks similar to the disease-causing parasite under a microscope, laboratories can distinguish between the two. Understanding E. dispar is important for accurate diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary treatment, since it usually does not require medication.