Acute-onset rapidly fatal amebic dysentery in metropolitan France

Citation
I. Mahe et al., Acute-onset rapidly fatal amebic dysentery in metropolitan France, PRESSE MED, 30(26), 2001, pp. 1295-1297
Citations number
13
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine","Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
PRESSE MEDICALE
ISSN journal
07554982 → ACNP
Volume
30
Issue
26
Year of publication
2001
Pages
1295 - 1297
Database
ISI
SICI code
0755-4982(20010922)30:26<1295:ARFADI>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
Background Emergency care is required for patients presenting dysentery and fever Case report A 65-year old patient living in metropolitan France was hospita lized for watery diarrhea that had progressively worsened over the last mon th. Rectal bleeding was also noted. Serology tests at admission, together w ith parasitology examination of the fecal matter and colonoscopy led to the diagnosis of intestinal amebiasis a few hours before the patient's rapid d eath. Serology was positive for amebas and the diagnosis was confirmed by p athology examination of the colonoscopy biopsies. Discussion 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 an d serology tests provide certain diagnosis. Clinicians should recall that r apidly fatal outcome is not uncommon in severe forms. Emergency care is man datory. (C) 2001, Masson, Paris.