The Amoebae form part of the Phylum Sarcomastigophora, along with the Flagellates . They also use these pseudopods to capture food, surrounding what they are about to eat and eventually engulfing it. Amoebae can live in a number of places around the human body, but most are found in the intestine. The irritation this creates can lead to the condition known as amoebic dysentery. This amoeba forms cysts to protect it from harsh conditions.
People contract the condition if they eat or drink faecally contaminated food or water.
In extreme conditions this amoeba may create abscesses in the liver. Both are significant, however, as diagnostic parasitologists must be able to differentiate the pathogenic E. histolytica from the non-pathogenic species. The majority of the other intestinal amoebae also live inside us without causing significant problems. Other Amoebae Two rare types of amoebae may cause significant problems. These infections are so nasty, that sufferers may die before the infection can be diagnosed.