Invasive Amoebiasis: A Review ofEntamoebaInfections Highlighted with Case Reports

Abstract

Entamoeba histolytica infections of the gastrointestinal tract are common in the developing world but rare in North America. The authors present two cases: one involving an individual who had not travelled to an endemic area and another involving an individual who was born in Bulgaria. Both presented with severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. Endoscopic assessment revealed scattered colonic ulcerations and one patient was found to have a liver abscess on imaging. Stool ova and parasite studies were negative in both cases and both were diagnosed on review of colonic biopsies. On review of all Entamoeba cases in the Calgary Health Zone (Alberta), ova and parasite analysis found an average of 63.7 Entamoeba cases per year and a pathology database review revealed a total of seven cases of invasive E histolytica (2001 to 2011). Both patients responded well to antibiotic therapy. E histolytica should be considered in new-onset colitis, especially in individuals from endemic areas.

The first case of huge amebic intra-abdominal tumor with asymptomatic amebic colitis

“…A search of PubMed using a combination of key words such as “ Entamoeba histolytica ”, “amebiasis,” and “intraabdominal tumor” through December 31, 2014 yielded no reports of amebic intra-abdominal tumor. Likewise, no mention of amebic intra-abdominal tumor was found in various reviews of E. histolytica infection [ 13 – 15 , 19 ]. Amebic intra-abdominal tumor thus appears extremely rare.…”

Signos de alarma al regresar de un viaje

“…• La perforación intestinal debe conllevar la adición de metronidazol 750 mg y la consulta urgente al servicio de cirugía que deberá valorar el abordaje quirúrgico de un yeyuno perforado o un megacolon tóxico amébico 13 .…”

Chew on this: amoebic trogocytosis and host cell killing by Entamoeba histolytica

“…E. histolytica trophozoites are profoundly cytotoxic, making it likely that direct killing of host cells underlies the ability of trophozoites to invade and destroy host tissues [18–22]. Despite the fundamental importance in pathogenesis, the precise mechanism by which E. histolytica trophozoites kill host cells has been unclear.…”