ð åèç
å¿
è â E. histolytica vs Non-Pathogenic
- E. histolytica = pathogenic (must distinguish)
- E. dispar, E. moshkovskyi = non-pathogenic (morphologically identical)
- Differentiation: stool antigen + PCR (not microscopy)
å¿
è â Clinical
- 90% asymptomatic (carriers)
- Acute amebic colitis: bloody diarrhea + mucus + tenesmus + flask-shaped ulcers
- Fulminant colitis (5%): peritonitis + perforation + high mortality
- Ameboma: granulomatous mass mimicking CA
- Amebic liver abscess (extra-intestinal #1): RUQ pain + fever + hepatomegaly, solitary right lobe, âanchovy pasteâ
å¿
è â Diagnosis
- Stool antigen test (preferred â distinguishes E. histolytica from non-pathogenic)
- PCR multiplex
- Stool O+P (Ã 3 days)
- Serology for liver abscess (positive in invasive)
- Imaging (US, CT) for liver abscess
- âAnchovy pasteâ + trophozoites at periphery on aspirate
å¿
è â Treatment (Two-Drug Approach)
Symptomatic Disease
- Tissue amebicide: Metronidazole 750 mg tid à 7-10 d (or tinidazole)
- PLUS Luminal amebicide: Paromomycin 25-35 mg/kg/d à 7-10 d (or iodoquinol)
Liver Abscess
- Same regimen + drainage if > 5-10 cm or imminent rupture or refractory
Asymptomatic Carrier
- Paromomycin alone (eliminate cysts, prevent transmission)
å¿
è â Liver Abscess Triad
- RUQ pain + fever + hepatomegaly in patient from endemic area or traveler
å¿
è â Liver Abscess Imaging
- Solitary right lobe predominant (vs pyogenic often multiple)
- Hypodense / hypoechoic
- US first-line
å¿
è â Why Two Drugs
- Metronidazole kills tissue trophozoites but not lumenal cysts
- Paromomycin kills lumenal cysts but not tissue trophozoites
- Both needed to prevent relapse + transmission
å¿
è â Anchovy Paste
- Liver abscess aspirate appearance
- âBrownâ or âredâ thick fluid (necrotic liver + blood)
- No PMN (vs pyogenic abscess)
- Trophozoites at periphery only