[Imported hepatic amebiasis in adults: retrospective study of 58 cases]

The authors report the results of a retrospective study of patients hospitalized for serologically- confirmed hepatic amebiasis confirmed by serology in four French military hospitals from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2012. The study included 58 patients (53 men, 5 women) with a median age of 41 years (range: 25-80). Among them, 34 (59%) were in the military, 10 (17%) were tourists, 10 migrants (15%), and 4 expatriates (5%). For 75%, contamination occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. The qualitative latex test was simple to use and reliable, even in the emergency department. Medical treatment by metronidazole alone was efficacious in 75% of the patients. Indications for drainage must be discussed according to the clinical and laboratory evidence.