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Updated: Oct 30, 2025

Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection
Published on: June 12, 2014
An atypical cause of right lower abdominal pain: amoebiasis, a family cluster
T De Somer1, D Baert1, M Deceuninck2
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maria Middelares Hospital, Buitenring Sint-Denijs 30, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
Abstract:
In this case report we present a family cluster of amoebiasis in a nonendemic region. A 46-year-old women, diagnosed with Crohn's disease for which she received no maintenance therapy, was evaluated for the suspicion of a flare. At colonoscopy however, atypical findings for Crohn's disease were seen. Histopathologic examination revealed micro-organisms compatible with amoebiasis. Interestingly, 4 years before this event she started a new relationship with a 38-year-old man who was diagnosed with liver-amoebiasis 3 months after the start of their relationship. On top of this, her 18-year-old daughter was diagnosed with amoebiasis 2 years after her diagnosis. The source of the infection remains unknown, but we speculate that the infection was transmitted feco-orally between the different members of this family. These cases illustrate that we should be aware of parasitological causes of colitis, especially in patients with atypical endoscopic images or when a close "relative" is diagnosed with amoebiasis.
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