Fatal fulminant acute amebic colitis in metropolitan France
Mahé, I.; Delahaye, V.; Caulin, C.; Bergmann, J.F.
Presse Medicale 30(26): 1295-1297
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0755-4982 PMID: 11603091 Document Number: 540347
Emergency care is required for patients presenting dysentery and fever. A 65-year old patient living in metropolitan France was hospitalized for watery diarrhea that had progressively worsened over the last month. Rectal bleeding was also noted. Serology tests at admission, together with parasitology examination of the fecal matter and colonoscopy led to the diagnosis of intestinal amebiasis a few hours before the patient's rapid death. Serology was positive for amebas and the diagnosis was confirmed by pathology examination of the colonoscopy biopsies. The diagnosis of amebiasis should be entertained even in Europe when there is no history of travel to endemic areas in patients who develop suggestive manifestations. Identification of amebas in the fecal matter and serology tests provide certain diagnosis. Clinicians should recall that rapidly fatal outcome is not uncommon in severe forms. Emergency care is mandatory.