Amebiasis intestinal y hepática / Intestinal and hepatic amebiasis

Amebiasis is the infection by Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan capable of invading the colonic mucosa causing a diarrheic syndrome, although most of the time is mild, it can lead to a fulminating colitis. Sometimes it can spread to other organs; among extra-intestinal manifestations of this parasite, the most frequent is the amebic liver abscess. In the next pages, general aspects of this protozoan, its epidemiology, clinical findings, diagnosis and treatment are reviewed, emphasizing the possibilities of diagnosis and treatment available in Chile.

La amebiasis corresponde a la infección por Entamoeba histolytica, protozoo capaz de invadir la mucosa del colon provocando un cuadro diarréico que, si bien la mayoría de las veces es leve, puede llegar a una colitis fulminante. En algunas oportunidades puede diseminarse a otros órganos; dentro de las manifestaciones extra-intestinales de este parásito, la más frecuente es el absceso hepático amebiano. A continuación se revisan aspectos generales de este protozoo, su epidemiología, cuadro clínico, diagnóstico y tratamiento, destacando las posibilidades de diagnóstico y tratamiento disponibles en Chile.

Nature Heals: Spontaneous Resolution of Liver Abscess through Hepato-colic Fistula.

Rupture of a liver abscess is a fairly common phenomenon in surgical practice. It is commoner in developing countries like India. Sites of rupture often predict the clinical course of the patient and affect the natural history of the disease, more common being the pleural and peritoneal cavity. Rupture into the bowel with fistulization is a rare phenomenon in liver abscess. Hepato-colic fistulae are being encountered following radiofrequency ablation for hepato cellular carcinoma. This occurring in the setting of liver abscess is highly uncommon. We report the first ever case in English literature, wherein an amoebic liver abscess was complicated by the occurrence of a hepato-colic fistula. The patient was a 48-year-old male who had a liver abscess in a background of alcoholic liver disease. On further investigation, he was found to have abnormal communication between the abscess cavity and the hepatic flexure of the colon. He was managed conservatively followed by spontaneous closure of the fistula.

Supra-Cath : A Life Saving Catheter.

Amebic liver abscesses are more likely to be solitary and more commonly located in the right hepatic lobe. Though uncommon, erosion usually from left lobe into the pericardium is the most dangerous complication of amebic liver abscess. We encountered an interesting case of an elderly male, who presented with features suggestive of cardiac temponade. We could demonstrate the left lobe abscess, pericardial effusion and also pericardial fistula on ultrasonography. Patient was successfully managed by percutaneous drainage of left lobe hepatic abscess by Supra- Cath, which also drained pericardial effusion with immediate symptomatic relief.

Absceso hepático en niños menores de 15 años del Hospital Universitario del valle Evaristo García de Cali, Colombia 2005-2010 reporte de 14 casos / Liver abscess in children under 15 years of the Hospital Universitario del Valle Evaristo García de Cali, Colombia 2005-2010, report of 14 cases

Reporte de casos:Se recolectaron los datos de las historias clínicas del HUV de 14 niños menores de 15 años de edad con diagnóstico de primera vez de AH con presencia de la triada clínica diagnostica y confirmados ecográficamente. Se analizaron variables como edad, género, procedencia, signos y síntomas, tiempo de evolución, y paraclínicos de diagnóstico al igual que manejo instaurado; encontrándose edad 8,7 años, con diagnóstico de primera vez, 7 masculinos, 11 procedentes del Valle del Cauca, con un tiempo de evolución entre 2 y 30 días (11,2 días) y una estancia hospitalaria entre 6 y 90 días (21,7 días). Otros síntomas incluyeron vómito en 8/14, anorexia y diarrea en 3/14, tos en 2/14 y cefalea y astenia en 1/10. Presentaron desnutrición aguda 3/7, crónica 3/7 y global 5/7. En 13/14 ecografías abdominales se encontraron AH localizados del lado derecho, siendo únicos en 11/13. Otros paraclínicos evidenciaron: hipoalbuminemia en 5/6, incremento de la VES y PCR en 14/14 y alteración de las pruebas de funcionamiento hepático en 3/7. En 9/14 niños los cultivos del material de drenaje de colección identificaron E.coli, S. viridans, S. epidermidis y P. aureginosa. 2/6 presentaron amibas al examen de heces Conclusión:El AH se debe sospechar clínicamente ante la triada fiebre, hepatomegalia y dolor abdominal de predomino en hipocondrio derecho, corroborar su localización y tipo de presentación con una ecografía abdominal, apoyar su diagnóstico con algunos paraclínicos en sangre y heces, e iniciar su pronto y adecuado manejo médico con antiparasitarios y antibióticos siguiendo una adecuada evolución y así evi tar sus complicaciones que pueden ocasionar mayor morbimortalidad.

Case Report:We collected data from medical records of HUVof 14 children under 15 years of age with first-time diagnosis of liver abscess in the presence of the clinical triad diagnosed and confirmed sonographically. We analyzed variables such as age, gender, signs and symptoms, evolution time, clinical and laboratory data for diagnosis as well as established management; finding age 8.7 years ofage with first time diagnosed, 7 male 11 from the Valle del Cauca, with a time between 2 and 30 days (13.5 days) and hospital stay between 6 and 90 days (21,7 days). Other symptoms included vomiting in 8 /14, anorexia and diarrhea in 3/14, cough in 3/14, and headache and asthenia in 1 / 10. Acute malnutrition showed 3 / 7, chronic 3 / 7, global 5 / 7. The abdominal ultrasounds were located AH on the right, being unique in 11/13. Other paraclinical showed: albumin in 5 / 6, increased ESR and CRP 14/14 and impaired liver function tests in 3 / 7. In 9 / 14 children's material culture collection identified drainage E. coli, S. viridans, S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa. 3 / 6 presented amoebas to stool examination. Medical management lasted between 10 and 42 days (17.7 days) with antibiotics such as oxacillin, clindamycin, metronidazole, amikacin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ampicillin-sulbactam, piperacillintazobactam, metronidazole being used in 13 / 14. 9 / 10 required surgical drainage guided by ultrasound.Conclusion:The AH should be suspected clinically with the triad fever, hepatomegaly and right upper quadrant abdominal pain, verify their location and type of presentation with an abdominal ultrasound, supporting some paraclinical diagnosis with blood and feces, and initiate a prompt and suitable worming and medical treatment with appropriate antibiotics following developments, thereby avoiding the complications that can lead to increased morbidity and mortality.

Evaluation of small-subunit rRNA touchdown polymerase chain reaction for direct detection of Entamoeba histolytica in human pus samples from patients with amoebic liver abscess.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of touchdown polymerase chain reaction (TD-PCR) for the detection of Entamoeba histolytica in liver pus samples obtained from patients with a clinical diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess (ALA) using small-subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) as the target gene. Materials and Methods: Microscopic examination in vitro culture and serological test for the detection of E. histolytica in 67 pus samples obtained from ALA patients was performed. Molecular studies were carried out by both conventional PCR and TD-PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene using the same sets of primers and the results were compared. Results: TD-PCR detected the presence of E. histolytica in 86.5% of the liver pus samples within 2.5 h as compared with 82.08% by conventional PCR within 3.5-4 h. Conclusion: TD-PCR assay may serve as a relatively better detection method for E. histolytica over conventional PCR with respect to the turnaround time, increased sensitivity, specificity and yield.

Hepato-pulmonary amebiasis: a case report

Infections with Entamoeba histolytica are seen worldwide and are more prevalent in the tropics. About 90 percent of infections are asymptomatic, and the remaining 10 percent produce a spectrum of clinical syndromes, ranging from dysentery to abscesses of the liver or other organs. Extra-intestinal infection by E. histolytica most often involves liver. Pleuro-pulmonary involvement, seen as the second most common extra-intestinal pattern of infection, is frequently associated with amebic liver abscess. Pulmonary amebiasis occurs in about 2-3 percent of patients with invasive amebiasis. We report herein the case of a 45-year-old male presenting with hepato-pulmonary amebiasis. The diagnosis was established from direct examination of sputum, in which trophozoites of E. histolytica were detected, and by serology. Following treatment with metronidazole and chloroquine, the clinical evolution improved significantly. On regular follow-up visits, the patient was asymptomatic. This case report reiterates the need for collaboration between clinicians and microbiologists for timely diagnosis of such infections.

Absceso hepático: enfrentamiento diagnóstico y terapéutico / Liver abscess: clinical approach to diagnosis and therapy

El absceso hepático es una patología que al gastroenterólogo no infrecuentemente le corresponde enfrentar. El diagnóstico oportuno y tratamiento precoz de esta enfermedad permiten el control adecuado de la infección con bajos índices de mortalidad. Existen distintas opciones para su manejo, que incluyen: manejo antibiótico, drenaje percutáneo y drenaje quirúrgico. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar la presentación clínica, los elementos diagnósticos y analizar las alternativas terapéuticas con las distintas indicaciones de cada una de ellas.

Liver abscess is a clinical entity that gastroenterologists not infrequently must contend. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of adequate therapy are associated with effective control of infection and low mortality rates. Several options for the management of liver abscess have been described, including: antibiotics therapy, percutaneous drainage and surgical management. This article reviews the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and analysis of different treatment strategies and their indications.

Massive intrahepatic subcapsular collection associated with parenchymal dehiscence in the case of amoebic liver abscess

We present a case of an amoebic liver abscess that revealed an unusual finding on abdominal computed tomography [CT] scan, an abscess involving the right lobe of the liver and a massive collection almost all around the liver that caused severe indentation of underlying parenchyma. The large amount of subcapsular collection was found to be communicating with the main abscess cavity through a focal parenchymal dehiscence in the supero-posterior region. Glisson's capsule was intact. Open surgical drainage was performed after a failed attempt of catheter drainage. Such a massive intrahepatic subcapsular collection [41] in the case of an infection with Entamoeba histolytica is unusual, which, along with the difficulty experienced in treating this case, led us to report it

Amebíase / Amoebiasis: an update

A amebíase é a segunda principal causa de morte por parasito em todo o mundo. O protozoário responsável, Entamoeba histolytica, apresenta elevada patogenicidade. É capaz de secretar proteases que dissolvem o tecido do hospedeiro, matar suas células por contato, fagocitar eritrócitos e invadir a mucosa intestinal causando a colite amebiana. Em alguns casos, este parasito é capaz de romper a barreira da mucosa intestinal e chegar ao fígado por meio da circulação porta, onde pode causar abscesso que cresce rapidamente e é quase sempre fatal. Evidências baseadas apenas na morfologia apontavam a existência de uma única espécie. No entanto, estudos mais modernos mostraram que, na realidade, há duas espécies geneticamente bem distintas, denominadas Entamoeba histolytica (patogênica) e Entamoeba dispar (não patogênica ou comensal).

Detection of Entamoeba histolytica DNA from liver abscess aspirate using polymerase chain reaction (PCR): a diagnostic tool for amoebic liver abscess.

Amoebic liver abscess is common in Bangladesh. It is usually diagnosed by suggestive clinical features, ultrasound findings and positive serology. However, none of these are definitive and the picture overlaps with pyogenic liver abscess. It is critical to differentiate amoebic liver abscess from pyogenic liver abscess as the treatment are different. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Entamoeba histolytica (E.histolytica) DNA in liver abscess pus for confirmatory diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess. This study was carried out in the department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Thirty patients of amoebic liver abscess were included in this study. PCR was done to detect E.histolytica DNA in liver abscess aspirate of all patients by real time PCR method, using oligonucleotide primer containing small-subunit rRNA gene of E.histolytica. Real time PCR detected E.histolytica in liver abscess aspirate in 29 cases out of 30 cases and the sensitivity was 97% (p<0.001). This study also showed that antigen detection by ELISA in liver abscess aspirate was positive in 12 cases only and sensitivity was 40%. The study indicates that detection of E.histolytica by PCR is more sensitive than amoebic antigen detection and PCR assay can be successfully used to confirm the diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess.

Absceso hepático amebiano, a propósito de dos casos / Amoebic liver abscess, two case reports

El absceso hepático amebiano suele ser muy frecuente en determinadas regiones del trópico, se presenta en el 2 a 5% de los casos con amebiasis intestinal, sin embargo se ha registrado que en el 50% de todos los casos no se identifican antecedentes de amebiasis. En la presenta revisión se presentan los dos únicos casos clínicos reportados en el Instituto Nacional Cubano de Gastroenterología hasta la fecha, uno de ellos de debut agudo y el otro de forma crónica, ambos sin antecedentes de amebiasis intestinal, con lesión única en lóbulo derecho hepático, diagnosticados por ecografía y punción del quiste con aspiración de material característico (pus achocolatado), se realizaron estudios citológicos y parasitológicos que confirmaron la presencia de Entamoeba histolytica. El tratamiento fue exitoso con metronidazol y cloroquina, complementado a la terapia local (drenaje del quiste)

Estandarización de la prueba de ELISA IgM en el diagnóstico de absceso hepático amebiano / IgM ELISA test standarization for amebic liver abscess diagnosis

Objetivo: estandarizar la técnica de ELISA IgM en el diagnóstico de absceso hepático amebiano. Diseño: estudio retrospectivo / propectivo, descriptivo, transversal, de tecnologías deiagnósticas para diferenciar etiología en absceso hepático. Lugar: pacientes de diferentes zonas del país. Población: se recolectaron tres grupos: primero, pacientes con absceso hepático amebiano, absceso hepático no amebiano o absceso hepático mixto; segundo, pacientes asintomáticos para amebiosis intestinal y extraintestinal; tercero, pacientes con hepatopatías diferentes. Mediciones: ELISA IgG, IgM, inmunodifusión y coprológico, se determinó el punto de corte para IgM y tablas de contingencia de análisis comparativo. Resultados: se recolectaron 81 casos entre sintomáticos y asintomáticos. Absceso hepático amebiano 34, promedio de edad 36; absceso hepático no amebiano 18; promedio de edad 45; absceso hepático mixto 4; asintomáticos 23, rango de edad 5 – 49 y otras hepatopatías 2 (absceso por Ascaris lumbricoides y ecografía hepática falsa positiva) con ELISA IgG e IgM (-). Punto de corte ELISA IgM (+) e¼ 0.511. Sintomáticos con absceso hepático amebiano y absceso hepático mixto ELISA IgG e IgM (+) 21 por ciento e IgG (+) pero IgM (-) 79 por ciento; absceso hepático no amebiano ELISA IgG e IgM (-) 100 por ciento. Pacientes asintomáticos con complejo Entamoeba histolytica / Entamoeba dispar y otros parásitos 100 por ciento (5/5) ELISA IgM (-) tanto los de ELISA IgG (+) 2 como IgG (-) 3 pacientes. Conclusiones: la prueba de ELISA IgG sigue siendo una herramienta diagnóstica para discernir etiología amebiana en absceso hepático. Se determinó el punto de corte par ELISA IgM con valor de e¼ 0.511 para el diagnóstico de absceso hepático amebiano con sensibilidad de 18 por ciento pero con especificidad de 100 por ciento y valor predictivo positivo de 100 por ciento

Amebiasis extraintestinal en pacientes psiquiatricos: análisis de un caso / Extrainststinal amebiasis in psychatric patients: case studied

El absceso hepático amebiano constituye un grave problema clínico con una alta tasa de mortalidad, sobre todo con los pacientes psiquiátricos que su condición de psicótico minimiza los síntomas dolorosos, haciendo que pasen inadvertidos afecciones graves o que se detecten en estadío avanzado. Las manifestaciones clínicas fueron: pérdida de peso, fiebre, dolor abdominal, tumoración en hipocondrio derecho. El diagnóstico se realizó mediante econosografía y drenaje pericutáneo dirigido de las lesiones hepáticas, lo que unido al tratamiento médico, permitió la completa curación del paciente

Enfoque clínico y diagnóstico del absceso hepático / A diagnostic approach to hepatic abscess

Background: The non invasive diagnosis of amebic liver abscess allows the use of empirical therapy without the requirement of invasive diagnostic procedures. Aim: To determine the discriminatory capacity of clinical, laboratory and ultrasound studies for the etiological diagnosis of liver abscess. Patients and methods: Sixty one patients were initially included in this prospective study, but 12 did not comply with the inclusion criteria. Of the rest, 29 (59%) had an amebic liver abscess, 16 (33%) had a pyogenic liver abscess and four (8%) had an abscess of mixed etiology. Blood cultures were done in 42 patients. Ultrasound guided needle aspiration was done in 7 patients with amebic liver abscess and 13 patients with non amebic liver abscess. Results: The clinical picture and ultrasound fndings were similar in all types of amebic abscess. ELISA test for IgG anti-Entamoeba histolytica antibodies were positive in 100% of patients with amebic liver abscess. Antibodies measured by gel diffusion were positive in 93%. All patients with mixed liver abscess had positive antibodies and some of them positive culture. Blood cultures were positive for anaerobic bacteria in five patients. Cultures of aspirated material were positive in 7 patients (obligate anaerobic bacteria in 3 and facultative anaerobic bacteria in the rest). The most common complications, whatever the etiology, were right pleural effusion and systemic inflammatory response. Conclusions: A final model of binomial regression analysis revealed that age under 40 years, an hematocrit greater than 35% and an elevation in prothrombin time of less than 1.5 seconds had enough discriminatory capacity for the diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 1411-20).

Characterization of entamoeba histolytica antigens in circulating immune complexes in sera of patients with amoebiasis.

Isolated circulating immune complexes (CICs) from sera of patients with amoebiasis were characterized to determine Entamoeba histolytica antigens that participate in the disease process. In total, 116 serum samples were collected before starting anti-amoebic therapy, and their CICs were isolated by differential polyethylene glycol precipitation. The presence of amoeba-specific antigens in CICs was detected by antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by immunoblot assay. Antigen capture ELISA showed significantly higher optical density (p < 0.001) in all patients with amoebiasis than in the normal healthy controls and patients of non-amoebic hepatic disorder. Immunoblot assay detected amoeba-specific CICs in all 18 patients (100%) with confirmed amoebic liver abscess, 28 (80%) of 35 patients with clinically-suspected amoebic liver abscess, and 18 (78.26%) of 23 patients with amoebic colitis. No patients with non-amoebic hepatic disorders and healthy control subjects had any detectable level of amoebic antigens in CICs. Immunoblot assay revealed E. histolytica antigens of relative molecular masses of 35, 56, 70, and 90 kDa present in CICs of 64 of 76 patients with amoebiasis. The 35-kDa polypeptide was observed in 52 patients (81.25%). The results of the study suggest that the 35-kDa polypeptide antigen can be a diagnostic marker in active amoebiasis.

Amoebic liver abscess in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

A thirty two years man, heterosexually promiscuous presented with amoebic liver abscess, proven by ultrasonography, aspiration and culture of organism. He was human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive and had low CD4+ lymphocyte count. He responded to anti-amoebic treatment.

Massive amebic liver abscess--an unusual presentation.

A 40-year-old woman presented with a huge lump in the right half of the abdomen and irregular menses. Ultrasonography showed a cystic lump with septations, extending from the upper abdomen to the pelvis; the right ovary was not seen. On exploration, there was a large cyst arising from the right lobe of the liver; the aspirate was bilious. Since the cyst wall was adherent to retroperitoneal structures, complete excision was not possible. A roux-en-Y loop of jejunum was anastomosed to the cyst wall. Biopsy of the wall showed inflammatory granulation tissue with trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica. She was treated with metronidazole, and recovered uneventfully.