Step 1: Understanding protozoal liver infections.
Entamoeba histolytica is the primary protozoan agent responsible for amoebic liver abscesses.
This organism penetrates the intestinal lining and disseminates through the portal vein to the liver, resulting in abscess development.
Step 2: Clinical presentation.
Key symptoms include fever, pain in the right upper abdomen, liver enlargement, and occasionally jaundice.
Without treatment, abscess rupture and life-threatening complications can occur.
Step 3: Evaluation of options.
- (A) Entamoeba: Correct, as Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amoebic liver abscess.
- (B) Trypanosome: Associated with sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei) or Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), not hepatic infection.
- (C) Acanthamoeba: Causes keratitis and encephalitis, not liver infection.
- (D) Trichomonas: Responsible for urogenital infections, not hepatic infection.
Step 4: Conclusion.
The protozoan responsible for liver infection is Entamoeba histolytica.