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Published on: August 22, 2012
Amebiasis in infancy in the middle-high socioeconomic class in Istanbul, Turkey
Demet Yardimci Ilikkan1, Barbaros Ilikkan, Mehmet Vural
1Kalamis Medical Center, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Turkey.
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|October 13, 2005
Insights
Amebiasis in infants can be acute, but extraintestinal disease and hospitalization are rare. Breast-feeding and socioeconomic status do not prevent Entamoeba histolytica infection in endemic regions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Global Health
Background:
- Amebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, is a significant global health concern.
- Acute amebiasis can affect individuals of all ages, including infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of acute amebiasis in infants.
- To evaluate diagnostic methods for Entamoeba histolytica in pediatric populations.
- To assess the protective effect of breastfeeding and socioeconomic status against amebiasis in infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of 11 infants with acute Entamoeba histolytica infection.
- Clinical data review, including disease severity and hospitalization.
- Correlation of light microscopy with stool antigen testing for Entamoeba histolytica.
Main Results:
- None of the 11 infants developed extraintestinal amebiasis.
- No infants required hospitalization.
- Light microscopy findings showed good correlation with stool antigen test results for Entamoeba histolytica.
- Breast-feeding and middle-to-high socioeconomic status did not confer protection against infection.
Conclusions:
- Acute amebiasis in infants is generally not associated with severe outcomes like extraintestinal disease or hospitalization.
- Diagnostic methods like light microscopy and stool antigen tests are effective for identifying Entamoeba histolytica.
- Infants in endemic areas remain susceptible to Entamoeba histolytica infection regardless of feeding method or socioeconomic status.
Abstract:
Amebiasis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We present 11 children with acute Entamoeba histolytica infection. None of the infants developed extraintestinal disease or required hospitalization. Light microscopy results correlated with stool antigen test for E. histolytica. Breast-feeding and middle-high socioeconomic status does not protect infants from infection with E. histolytica in endemic areas.
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