Entamoeba dispar is a single-celled organism that belongs to the group of parasites known as amoebae. It is closely related to Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amoebic dysentery. However, E. dispar is generally considered non-pathogenic, meaning it does not typically cause disease in humans. This organism is primarily found in the intestines and is transmitted through contaminated food and water. While E. dispar can be present in the gut without causing symptoms, its presence can sometimes complicate the diagnosis of E. histolytica infections, as both species can be detected in stool samples.