Related Experiment Videos

Acute fulminant necrotizing amoebic colitis: a rare and fatal complication of amoebiasis: a case report

Shilpi Singh Gupta1, Onkar Singh, Sumit Shukla

  • 1Department of Surgery, M.G.M Medical College & M.Y. Hospital Indore, 452001 India. drguptashilpi@gmail.com

Cases Journal
|November 18, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Acute Fulminant Necrotizing Amoebic Colitis (FAC) is a rare, high-mortality complication of amoebiasis. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are critical for managing this severe intestinal condition.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Amoebiasis is a parasitic infection, with rare but severe complications.
  • Acute Fulminant Necrotizing Amoebic Colitis (FAC) presents a diagnostic challenge and carries a high mortality rate.
  • Limited case reports exist for this aggressive form of amoebic colitis.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with acute abdomen, initially misdiagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and treated with steroids.
  • Surgical exploration revealed extensive colonic necrosis and retroperitoneal perforations.
  • The patient underwent total colectomy with ileostomy.

Findings:

  • Postoperative complications included septicaemia and multi-organ failure.
  • The patient ultimately succumbed to the illness.
  • This case highlights the potential for misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

Implications:

  • Emphasizes the critical need for prompt diagnosis of acute FAC.
  • Underscores the high mortality associated with delayed or missed diagnosis.
  • Highlights the importance of surgical intervention in managing fulminant amoebic colitis.

Related Concept Videos

Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Appendicitis01:19

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the vermiform appendix, most commonly caused by obstruction of its lumen. The appendix is a narrow, blind-ended pouch that extends from the cecum, making it particularly prone to obstruction. Causes include fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia (often after viral infections), parasites, tumors, or foreign bodies. This obstruction initiates a cascade of pathological changes.Luminal Obstruction and Early InflammationAfter obstruction, normal mucosal...
Esophageal Achalasia01:27

Esophageal Achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...
American Trypanosomiasis01:22

American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...