Summary

• Amoebic colitis presents with diarrhoea lasting more than 1 week. Abdominal tenderness and weight loss are common.
• Amoebic liver abscess presents with right upper quadrant pain. May not present with diarrhoea, but will usually have a preceding history of diarrhoea.
• Rare cause of brain abscess.
• Most patients will have travelled to or resided in an endemic area in the 12 months preceding presentation.
• Diagnosis is confirmed by detection of Entamoeba histolytica antigen in stool or antibodies against the parasite in serum.
• Treatment is with nitroimidazoles followed by luminal agents such as paromomycin or diloxanide furoate.