User:Hwalters/sandbox

Amebiasis has been found in saurian, ophidian, and chelonian reptiles to result in a mortality rate of approximately 100%. Several scientists have noted that reptiles who live at lower temperatures tend to be carriers of the parasite, while those species who live in warmer temperatures usually develop pathogenic cases. It has also been found that snakes and lizards have the highest mortality rate while species such as turtles and crocodiles tend to be asymptomatic carriers. Symptoms include dehydration, anorexia, lethargy, and bloody stools. This condition is usually diagnosed by directly examining fecal samples for trophozoites, however, diagnosis is difficult because the parasites only survive a few hours after excretion and they are difficult to distinguish morphologically from other Entamoeba species. There is still a great need to develop an assay that is rapid, specific, and sensitive. The development of such an assay will allow identification of carriers, therefore preventing the spread of E. Invadens to other reptiles.