Acute-onset rapidly fatal amebic dysentery in metropolitan France

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.