ð ç« æ«éèš
- E. histolytica: cyst + trophozoite forms
- Differentiate from non-pathogenic E. dispar / E. moshkovskyi (stool antigen / PCR)
- Transmission: fecal-oral, contaminated food/water (chlorine doesnât kill cysts)
- Clinical:
- 90% asymptomatic carriers
- Acute amebic colitis (bloody diarrhea + mucus + flask ulcers)
- Fulminant colitis (5%, peritonitis + perforation)
- Ameboma (granulomatous mass mimicking CA)
- Amebic liver abscess (extra-intestinal #1): RUQ pain + fever + hepatomegaly; solitary right lobe; âanchovy pasteâ
- Diagnosis:
- Stool antigen preferred (E. histolytica-specific)
- PCR + O+P + serology (for liver abscess)
- Imaging (US first-line for liver abscess)
- Treatment (TWO-DRUG):
- Tissue amebicide: metronidazole or tinidazole
- PLUS Luminal amebicide: paromomycin (or iodoquinol)
- Asymptomatic carrier: paromomycin alone
- Liver abscess: + drainage if > 5-10 cm or imminent rupture or refractory
- Pregnancy: paromomycin safe; metronidazole 1st trim avoided
- Anchovy paste + trophozoites at periphery + no PMN = liver abscess aspirate
- ç§é«åž« hint: endemic origin / traveler + RUQ + fever + leukocytosis â US + amebic serology + treat empirically if classic