[Amebiasis].

Abstract

Infections with Entamoeba histolytica do not necessarily cause disease in those infected. The parasite may act as commensal (cysts living in the bowel) or it may cause a broad spectrum of clinical illness. Some of the factors causing overt disease are poorly understood. An acute amebic dysentery is accompanied by bloody stools, abdominal pain and indigestion. The most important extraintestinal complication of an amebic infection is a liver abscess causing severe pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. The diagnosis of an amebic infection is based upon isolation of the parasite from the stools. Extraintestinal amebiasis is diagnosed - apart from the clinical picture - by serology. For treatment of intestinal amebiasis so-called contact-amebicides can be recommended. An amebic abscess of the liver usually responds well to dehydroemetine, metronidazole or any other derivative or imidazole and chloroquine. Surgical treatment of amebic liver abscess is only required if complications arise.