American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is the treatment for diarrhea caused by Amebiasis?

1. Paromomycin

2. Metronidazole or tinidazole

3. Doxycycline

4. Ciprofloxacin

The correct answer is: Metronidazole or tinidazole

Amebiasis is an infection caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea. The treatment specifically aimed at eradicating the parasite involves the use of nitroimidazole antibiotics, with metronidazole and tinidazole being the most effective options. These medications work by targeting the organism directly, disrupting its DNA and inhibiting its ability to replicate, thereby clearing the infection and alleviating the associated diarrhea. In contrast, while other options may have some antimicrobial properties, they do not adequately target the specific organism associated with amebiasis. Paromomycin is an aminoglycoside that can be used as a luminal agent for asymptomatic intestinal infection but is generally not the primary treatment for symptomatic cases. Doxycycline and ciprofloxacin are not first-line treatments for amebiasis and are more commonly associated with other types of infections. Therefore, metronidazole or tinidazole remains the standard of care for diarrhea caused by amebiasis.