Amebic liver abscess and human immunodeficiency virus infection - A reportof three cases

Invasive amebiasis rarely occurs in homosexual men and human immunodeficien cy virus (HIV)-infected individuals and has not been regarded as a beacon f or concomitant HIV infection. We encountered a bisexual man with a protract ed course of amebic liver abscess and amebic colitis. In the presence of fe ver, generalized lymphadenopathy, and elevated serum aminotransferase level s, HIV infection was suspected and then confirmed by a de novo seroconversi on of HIV antibody. Subsequently, we noted two consecutive patients with am ebic liver abscess, also later found to be infected with HIV. The ameba obt ained from these three cases was identified as Entamoeba histolytica by amp lification of 16S ribosomal RNA by polymerase chain reaction and direct seq uencing. This observation suggests that amebic liver abscess and colitis ca n be presentations for HIV infection in the Ear East. Thus, the local patie nts with invasive amebiasis, especially those with a protracted course or w ith risk factors of HIV infection, should be tested for HIV.