POSTPARTUM FULMINANT AMEBIC-COLITIS - A C ASE-REPORT

A 26-year old female developed acute fulminant amoebic colitis during the post-partum period, successfully managed by subtotal colonic resec tion without anastomosis. Fulminant transmural amoebic colitis is a ra re life-threatening complication of invasive bowel amebiasis. Pregnanc y, delivery, diabetes mellitus and immunodeficiency are the main risk factors. At pathologic examination, bowel wall necrosis can be seen wi th amoebae present in the lumen of capillary vessels. The diagnosis of amoebic colonic perforation is difficult, especially in a non-endemic area. Conservative surgical management is required in non-perforated forms. If perforated, the bowel must be resected, limited to macroscop ic lesions.