Travel history can make the difference
Journal | Volume 83 - 2020 |
Issue | Fasc.2 - Case reports |
Author(s) | S. Colman 1, L. Cattoir 1, K. Van Vaerenbergh 1, H. De Beenhouwer 1, A. Boel 1 |
Full article |
PAGES 334-336 VIEW FREE PDF |
Affiliations: (1) Clinical Laboratory of Microbiology, OLVZ Aalst, Aalst, Belgium.
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Entamoeba histolytica infections are rare in developed countries such as Belgium. A 53-year-old female patient presented with 10 days of fever and mild persisting pain in the right hypochondriac despite 6 days of antibiotic therapy. The anamnesis further revealed that the patient was born in Colombia and visits her native country on a regular basis. An abdominal CT-scan demonstrated a large hepatic abscess of 10×8 cm. The diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica- infection was confirmed with real-time PCR (RT-PCR) from the aspirated material of the abscess. Remarkably, a half year ago, this patient also presented to the gastro-enterology consultation with intermittent rectal bleeding, loose stools and abdominal discomfort. Rectosigmoidoscopy at that time showed sigmoiddiverticulosis and biopsies were taken. RT-PCR on this material was performed during this second episode and was positive for E. histolytica, confirming an episode of amoebic colitis a half year prior to the discovery of the liver abscess. Keywords: entamoeba, liver abscess, colitis. |
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. |
© Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica. PMID 32603057 |