Related Experiment Videos
Amebic colitis presenting as acute inflammatory bowel disease. Case report.
P A Larsson1, S Olling, N Darle
1Department of Surgery, Ostra Sjukhuset, Gothenburg, Sweden.
The European Journal of Surgery = Acta Chirurgica
|September 1, 1991
Summary
A woman with inflammatory bowel disease symptoms was successfully treated for amebiasis, a parasitic infection, after initial misdiagnosis. Early detection of Entamoeba histolytica in tissue biopsies confirmed the cause, leading to effective metronidazole therapy.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis can be challenging, especially in patients with a history of tropical residency.
- Distinguishing IBD from infectious colitis is crucial for appropriate treatment and patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A 41-year-old woman with a 23-year tropical history presented with IBD-like symptoms after relocating to Sweden.
- Initial stool examinations for parasites were negative, and medical management for IBD was ineffective.
- Repeated colonic endoscopies with biopsies initially missed the diagnosis of amebiasis.
Findings:
- Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica were eventually identified in rectosigmoid mucosal biopsies.
- Serological testing confirmed the diagnosis of amebiasis.
- Metronidazole treatment resulted in rapid and sustained clinical improvement.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering parasitic infections like amebiasis in patients with IBD symptoms, particularly those with a travel or residency history in endemic areas.
- Diagnostic challenges underscore the need for thorough investigation, including repeated biopsies and serology, when initial treatments fail.
- Prompt and accurate diagnosis of amebiasis leads to effective treatment and avoids unnecessary invasive procedures like colectomy.