Clinical and immunological studies on intestinal and hepatic amebiasis

ABSTRACT

Thirty five male patients with intestinal and/or hepatic amoebiasis and ten non-infected controls were subjected to our study. In addition to clinico-radiological examination, stool analysis, rectosigmoidoscopy, determination of Hb%, total and differential leucocytic counts were carried out for them. Moreover, serum immunoglobulin estimation and IHA test were performed for each case. Those with intestinal and hepatic amoebiasis were treated with tinidazole and its effects on the above investigations were studied. The results were statistically analysed. It was concluded that serum IgG, IgM and IgA were raised in cases with invasive amoebiasis and only IgG and IgM in those having hepatic amoebiasis. IHAT was markedly positive in both groups of patients and not in cyst passers. Although serum immunoglobulins were normalized one month after tinidazole therapy yet IHAT still remained positive in most of treated cases. Combination of clinicoradiological, endosscopic hematological and immunoserological studies as well as tinidazole therapeutic test were necessary for D.D. of intestinal and hepatic amoebiasis in the tropics with multiple parasitism