[Hepatic amebiasis in French Polynesia. 16 cases in 2 years]

Asymptomatic amebiasis in known for long ago in French Polynesia; the presence of Entamoeba histolytica cyst carriers have been shown by several parasitological investigations. But, until now, no hepatic amebiasis case has been reported in this geographical area. An homogeneous series of 16 cases of hepatic amebiasis is reported here. The diagnosis was made by hepatic ultrasonography and confirmed by immunology (Indirect immunofluorescent tests gave always a positive reaction for a dilution of 1/512 or more). Clinical, biological and radiological signs are well known in tropical pathology. Therapy was always conducted with metronidazol by the authors. From the epidemiological point of view, 14 out of 16 cases come from Tuamotu Archipelago. This epidemiological fact appears important enough to carry out systematically hepatic ultrasonography and amebic++ serology for every patient evacuated from this Archipelago to Tahiti. Hence it must be kept in mind the possibility of hepatic amebiasis not only in people living in French Polynesia but also, for the ones coming from over there but living in France.