Hepatic amebiasis among patients in a public teaching hospital

Wayne X. Shandera, Padma Bollam, Rayhan H. Hashmey, Patricia A. Athey, Stephen B. Greenberg, A. Clinton White

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

The increase in immigration to the United States is associated with diseases, such as amebiasis, that are endemic to developing countries. We retrospectively reviewed 49 public-hospital patients with hepatic amebiasis occurring between 1985 and 1995. Most patients were immigrants (47) from Latin America (43), male (43), and young (mean age, 39.8 years). Symptoms noted by more than half were abdominal pain and fever. Ultrasonography showed single lesions in 70% and right-sided involvement in 85%. Serologies against Entamoeba histolytica were noted in 86%. After treatment, the median interval from admission to defervescence was 2 days, to normalization of white cell count 3 days, and to resolution of abdominal pain 4 days. Morbidity (one case of pericarditis) and mortality (one death in a cirrhotic man) were low. Hepatic amebiasis continues to be diagnosed in the United States, primarily among Hispanic and Asian immigrants. When appropriately considered, current diagnostic and therapeutic modalities result in rapid improvement and excellent outcome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)829-837
Number of pages9
JournalSouthern medical journal
Volume91
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1998
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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