RESUMO
The term amoebiasis denotes the condition of harbouring Entamoeba histolytica with or without clinical manifestations [WHO 1969]. Amoebiasis occurs throughout Tropics, Sub Tropics and Temperate climates for instance in U.S.A. Northern Europe and Britain Prevalence of Amoebic infection depends on cultural habits, sanitation, crowding and socio-ecoaomic status. The trophozoites of E. Histolylica are carried as emboli into the portal vein from the base of an amoebic ulcer in the large intestine. Once established in the liver they multiply and carry on their cytolytic action. Liver abscesses are usually found in the right lobe. Extensive evidence indicates that cure of amoebic colitis or liver abscess is followed by resistance to subsequent colitis or liver abscess and resistance to subsequent invasive amoebiasis. The Humoral immunity, complement mediated immunity and cell-mediated immunity play their role. Liver abscess of acute onset may present with abdominal pain and fever or sub-acutely with weight loss. Concomitant diarrhoea occurs. Abdominal pain can be referred to the shoulder and accompanied by a non-productive cough. There is usually point tenderness over the liver Hepatomegaly is present. Pleuropulmonary amoebiasis is the most common complication of amoebic abscess and Interaperit oneal rupture, pericardial amoebiasis, obstructive jaundice, splenomegaly, splenic abscess, gastric perforation, glomerular nephritis, hepato duodenal fistula, abdominal vein distention and hepato biliary communication can occur. The complement fixation test simple latex agglutination test haemagglutination inhibition test, counter immunoelectrophoresis using cellulose acetate, ELISA, preciptin test and test of goldman all are used in diagnosis to some extent. Methods available to establish the presence of cystic liver lesions include ultrasound, TC liver scan, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging scan and GA scan. no of these methods are absolutely specific in differentiating an amoebic liver abscess from a pyogenic obscess or tumour. Extraintestinal amoebiasis should be treated with metronidazole and to prevent continued intraluminal infection, paromycin or diloxanide furoate. Needle aspiration should be used if there is a lack of response to five days of metronidazole treatment, if abscess is very large and patients is very toxic. Surgical treatment is reserved for when medical treatment has failed to produce complete resolution and for certain specific indications