Massive pleural empyema secondary to amoebic liver abscess in a child.

BACKGROUND: Pleural empyema secondary to a ruptured amoebic liver abscess is a rare complication in the pediatric population. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 13-year-old male with right flank abdominal pain, productive cough with foul-smelling sputum, fever, and respiratory distress. Physical examination revealed breathlessness, decreased vesicular murmur in the right hemithorax, abdominal distension, hepatomegaly, and lower limb edema. Laboratory tests revealed mild anemia, leukocytosis without eosinophilia, elevated alkaline phosphatase, hypoalbuminemia, and positive immunoglobulin G antibodies against Entamoeba histolytica in pleural fluid. He required a chest tube and treatment with metronidazole. After 2 months of follow-up, the abscesses disappeared, and the empyema decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Massive pleural empyema secondary to a ruptured liver abscess is a rare complication. The epidemiological link associated with the symptoms and serological tests can help in the diagnosis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El empiema pleural secundario a ruptura de absceso amebiano hepático es una complicación poco frecuente en la población pediátrica. CASO CLÍNICO: Se reporta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 13 años que presentó dolor abdominal en flanco derecho, tos productiva con esputo de mal olor, fiebre y dificultad respiratoria. Al examen físico se encontró amplexación y murmullo vesicular disminuido en hemitórax derecho, distensión abdominal, hepatomegalia y edema de miembros inferiores. Los resultados del laboratorio evidenciaron anemia leve, leucocitosis sin eosinofilia, elevación de fosfatasa alcalina, hipoalbuminemia y anticuerpos IgG contra Entamoeba histolytica positivo en líquido pleural. Requirió tubo de drenaje torácico y tratamiento con metronidazol. A los dos meses de seguimiento los abscesos desaparecieron y el empiema disminuyó. CONCLUSIONES: El empiema pleural masivo secundario a ruptura de absceso hepático es una complicación poco frecuente. El nexo epidemiológico asociado con la sintomatología y pruebas serológicas pueden ser de ayuda en el diagnóstico.

Amoebic liver abscess in a COVID-19 patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica, which affects people living in low- and middle-income countries and has intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. To date, knowledge on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) coinfection with enteric parasites is limited, and E. histolytica coinfection has not been previously described. Here we present the case of a patient with COVID-19 who, during hospitalisation, presented a clinical picture consistent with an amoebic liver abscess (ALA). CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old man, admitted as a suspected case of COVID-19, presented to our hospital with dyspnoea, malaise, fever and hypoxaemia. A nasopharyngeal swab was positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. After 7 days, he developed diarrhoea, choluria and dysentery. An abdominal ultrasound showed a lesion compatible with a liver abscess; stool examination revealed E. histolytica trophozoites, and additional serology for E. histolytica was positive. After 12 days of treatment with metronidazole, ceftazidime and nitazoxanide, the patient reported acute abdominal pain, and an ultrasound examination revealed free liquid in the abdominal cavity. An emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed, finding 3000 mL of a thick fluid described as "anchovy paste". Computed tomography scan revealed a second abscess. He ended up receiving 21 days of antibiotic treatment and was discharged with satisfactory improvement. CONCLUSION: Here we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of ALA and COVID-19 co-presenting. Based on their pathophysiological similarities, coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and E. histolytica could change the patient's clinical course; however, larger studies are needed to fully understand the interaction between these pathogens.

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.

Absceso hepático amebiano con empiema pleural derecho. A propósito de un caso / Amoebic liver abscess with right pleural empyema. About a case

Introducción: el absceso hepático amebiano y el empiema pleural son complicaciones graves y poco frecuentes de la amebiasis intestinal, que requieren tratamiento oportuno con medicamentos o drenaje quirúrgico. Generalmente se emplean fármacos del grupo de los nitroimidazoles (el metronidazol es el más utilizado) y, de no ser efectivos, se recurre a la punción evacuadora bajo control ultrasonográfico o el drenaje por intervención quirúrgica convencional o laparoscópica. Aunque ocurre con poca frecuencia, la rotura del absceso hacia las cavidades abdominal, pleural o pericárdica puede ser mortal.Presentación del caso: paciente masculino de 22 años de edad, con antecedentes de un cuadro intestinal con dolor tipo cólico, que con posterioridad presentó fiebre y deterioro progresivo del estado general. Fue ingresado en el Centro de Diagnóstico Integral Salvador Allende de Caracas, República Bolivariana de Venezuela, con fiebre alta y sintomatología respiratoria. En los exámenes imagenológicos se constató la existencia de un absceso hepático de probable etiología amebiana y un derrame pleural. A pesar del tratamiento médico la evolución del paciente fue tórpida, por lo que se le realizó drenaje percutáneo del absceso hepático y pleurotomía mínima media del empiema pleural, con lo que se logró una mejoría significativa de su estado y posteriormente fue dado de alta.Conclusiones: el tratamiento quirúrgico oportuno, con punción evacuadora y aspiración, en los casos de absceso hepático amebiano y empiema pleural secundario contribuye a disminuir el tiempo de estadía hospitalaria de los pacientes y la morbimortalidad a causa de estas dolencias(AU)

Introduction: amebic liver abscess and pleural empyema are serious and infrequent complications of amebic dysentery, requiring timely drug treatment or surgical drainage. Usually drugs of the nitroimidazole group are used (metronidazole is the most used) and, if not effective, evacuation puncture is used under ultrasonographic control or drainage by conventional or laparoscopic surgery. Although it occurs infrequently, the abscess break into the abdominal, pleural or pericardial cavities can be fatal. Presentation of the case: a 22-year-old male patient with a history of an intestinal condition with colic pain, who subsequently presented fever and progressive deterioration of the general condition. He was admitted to the Integral Diagnosis Center Salvador Allende in Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, with high fever and respiratory symptoms. Imaging examinations revealed a liver abscess of probable amoebic etiology and a pleural spillover. In spite of the medical treatment, the patient's evolution was torpid. Percutaneous drainage of the hepatic abscess and minimal pleurotomy of the pleural empyema were carried out, which resulted in a significant improvement in his condition and subsequently he was discharged.Conclusions: timely surgical treatment with evacuation puncture and aspiration in cases of amebic liver abscess and secondary pleural empyema contributes to decrease the length of hospital stay and morbidity and mortality due to these conditions(AU)

Clinical manifestations and endoscopic findings of amebic colitis in a United States-Mexico border city: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Invasive amebiasis is not frequently seen in the United States. It is associated with considerable morbidity in patients residing in or traveling to endemic areas. We report a case series of patients with amebic colitis in a United States-Mexico border city to alert physicians to the varied clinical manifestations. CASE PRESENTATION: Nine patients were diagnosed with amebic colitis. Mean age was 56 (38-83), 6 were males, and all were Hispanic. Common symptoms were diarrhea (56 %), hematochezia (33 %) and abdominal bloating (11 %). The diagnosis of amebic colitis was established in the following ways: 8 patients by colonoscopy with biopsy, 1 by surgery for colonic obstruction. The diagnosis of amebic colitis was confirmed in 8 patients (89 %) by amebic trophozoites present in histopathologic sections. One patient was diagnosed with amebic colitis based upon clinical symptoms, colitis on colonoscopy and visualization of amebic trophozoites on stool examination. In the 8 patients in whom colonoscopy was done, 6 (75 %) had inflammation with rectosigmoid involvement and 5 (62.5 %) had ulcerations. Infection resolved after treatment with metronidazole in most patients; however, one patient developed a liver abscess and another had a colonic perforation and later developed a liver abscess. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of amebic colitis in this United States-Mexico border city hospital population was low, but in some cases potentially life-threatening. Physicians should be alert to the less common presentations of amebic colitis, such as overt gastrointestinal bleeding, exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease, and the incidental finding of association with colon cancer, or a surgical abdomen. Rectosigmoid involvement was typically found on colonoscopy.

First case of amebic liver abscess 22 years after the first occurrence.

A 72-year-old man consulted in November 2012 for abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. The patient had a history of suspected hepatic amebiasis treated in Senegal in 1985 and has not traveled to endemic areas since 1990. Abdominal CT scan revealed a liver abscess. At first, no parasitological tests were performed and the patient was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Only after failure of this therapy, serology and PCR performed after liver abscess puncture established the diagnosis of hepatic amebiasis. The patient was treated with metronidazole and tiliquinol-tilbroquinol. Amebic liver abscess is the most frequent extra-intestinal manifestation. Hepatic amebiasis 22 years after the last visit to an endemic area is exceptional and raises questions on the mechanisms of latency and recurrence of these intestinal protozoan parasites.

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.

Absceso hepático amebiano en puerperio: informe de un caso / Amebic liver abscess in puerperium. case report

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de sexo femenino, de 32 años de edad, con gestación de 38,6 semanas y enfermedad hipertensiva gravídica, que es ingresada y cesareada en el Hospital General Docente Dr Agostinho Neto. En el posoperatorio evoluciona tórpidamente con fiebre elevada, tos, disnea, dolor en hipocondrio derecho y síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica. Se le realizan estudios de urgencia y se diagnostica absceso hepático amebiano. Es intervenida quirúrgicamente con el drenaje del absceso por vía extraperitoneal anterior. Actualmente se recupera adecuadamente y es egresada con su niña a los 28 días completamente asintomática(AU)

Hepato-pulmonary amebiasis: a case report.

Infections with Entamoeba histolytica are seen worldwide and are more prevalent in the tropics. About 90% of infections are asymptomatic, and the remaining 10% 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% 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.

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.

[Probable amebic brain abscess in a homosexual man with an Entamoeba histolytica liver abscess].

A 51-year-old Japanese-Brazilian homosexual man was admitted to a hospital because of fever, headache and right epigastralgia. He had been homosexual for 20 years. An abdominal CT revealed a liver abscess and microscopic examination of the pus of the drainage revealed cystic forms of Entamoeba histolytica. Oral administration of metronidazole 2,250 mg/day was started for amebic liver abscess. He complained of severe throbbing headache, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a brain mass of approximately 2 cm in diameter in the right parietooccipital lobe. An amebic brain abscess was suspected and he was transferred to our hospital. Continuous oral administration of metronidazole for 49 days instead of invasive procedures gradually improved headache, fever and right epigastralgia. On the follow-up MRIs, the brain mass was gradually encapsulated, reduced its size, and finally disappeared. A diagnosis of amebic brain abscess was made on the basis of coexistent amebic liver abscess, MRI findings and a dramatic effectiveness to metronidazole. One should pay attention to E. Histolytica infection in the differential diagnosis of the abscess of the liver and brain since it has been increasing in Japan in recent years.

Invasive amebiasis: an update on diagnosis and management.

In its invasive form, the trophozoite is responsible for clinical syndromes, ranging from classical dysentery to extraintestinal disease with emphasis on hepatic amebiasis. Abdominal pain, tenderness and diarrhea of watery stool, sometimes with blood, are the predominant symptoms of amebic colitis. Besides the microscopic identification of Entamoeba histolytica, diagnosis should be based on the detection of specific antigens in the stool or PCR associated with the occult blood in the stool. Amebic dysentery is treated with metronidazole, followed by a luminal amebicide. The trophozoite reaches the liver causing hepatic amebiasis. Right upper quadrant pain, fever and hepatomegaly are the predominant symptoms. The diagnosis is made by the finding of E. histolytica in the hepatic fluid, or in the necrotic material at the edge of the lesion in a minority of patients, and by detection of antigens or DNA. Ultrasonography is the initial imaging procedure indicated. The local perforation of hepatic lesion leads to important and serious complications.

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).