Travel history can make the difference.

Travel history can make the difference. Acta Gastroenterol Belg. 2020 Apr-Jun;83(2):334-336 Authors: Colman S, Cattoir L, Van Vaerenbergh K, De Beenhouwer H, Boel A Abstract Entamoeba histolytica infections are rare in developed countries such as Belgium. A 53-year-old female patient presented with 10 days of fever and mild persisting pain in the right hypochondriac despite 6 days of antibiotic therapy. The anamnesis further revealed that the patient was born in Colombia and visits her native country on a regular basis. An abdominal CT-scan demonstrated a large hepatic abscess of 10×8 cm. The diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica- infection was confirmed with real-time PCR (RT-PCR) from the aspirated material of the abscess. Remarkably, a half year ago, this patient also presented to the gastro-enterology consultation with intermittent rectal bleeding, loose stools and abdominal discomfort. Rectosigmoidoscopy at that time showed sigmoiddiverticulosis and biopsies were taken. RT-PCR on this material was performed during this second episode and was positive for E. histolytica, confirming an episode of amoebic colitis a half year prior to the discovery of the liver abscess. PMID: 32603057 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Acta Gastroenterol Belg Source Type: research