- Amoebic dysentery is characterized by invasion of the colonic mucosa by Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites, leading to ulceration and necrosis.
- This mucosal damage results in inflammatory bloody diarrhea, often accompanied by mucus and tenesmus.
- The presence of blood differentiates amoebic dysentery from other causes of diarrhea, such as amoebic colitis without dysentery or secretory diarrheas, which are typically non-bloody.
- The hallmark clinical feature is therefore bloody diarrhea, reflecting tissue invasion and mucosal ulceration.

Reference: Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine, 24th Edition, Chapter: Infectious Diarrheas, Page 594.