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Fatal attraction: intestinal amebiasis and COVID-19 as risk factors for colonic perforation

Jorge Alberto Dorantes1, Jose Octavio López-Becerril2, Maria G Zavala-Cerna3

  • 1International Program of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco, México.

Journal of Surgical Case Reports
|July 28, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This case study highlights a severe inflammatory response in a COVID-19 patient with intestinal amebiasis. The dual infection led to extensive colon ulcerations and necrotic tissue, complicating surgical management.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Amebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, is a significant global health concern, particularly in Mexico.
  • Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a pandemic, impacting various organ systems.
  • Co-infection with amebiasis and COVID-19 presents a complex clinical challenge.

Observation:

  • A 54-year-old male, diagnosed with COVID-19, presented with hematochezia.
  • Surgical exploration revealed extensive amebic ulcerations and necrosis in the colon.
  • The patient exhibited a significant inflammatory response to both infections.

Findings:

  • The clinical case illustrates a severe presentation of intestinal amebiasis in a COVID-19 positive patient.
  • Multiple large ulcerations and necrotic tissue were observed across the sigmoid, descending, and ascending colon.
  • Pathophysiological interplay between COVID-19 and amebiasis was noted.

Implications:

  • This case suggests a potential novel mechanism where COVID-19 may aggravate intestinal amebiasis.
  • Understanding this interplay is crucial for managing surgical patients with co-infections.
  • Highlights the importance of considering co-infections in patients with severe gastrointestinal symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords:
COVID-19colonic perforationhematocheziaintestinal amebiasisorganotropismthrombosis

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