Summary
Definition
History and exam
Other diagnostic factors
- generalized abdominal pain
- right upper quadrant abdominal pain
- weight loss
- cough
- fever
- altered mental status or limb weakness
- dyspnea
- guarding and rebound tenderness of the abdomen
- jaundice
- right lung decreased air entry and percussion note
Risk factors
- exposure in endemic areas
- institutionalization of intellectually disabled people
- men who have sex with men
- oral-anal sexual contact
- HIV infection, past or current syphilis infection
- male gender
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- stool antigen detection
- PCR or qPCR of stool or liver abscess pus for E histolytica DNA
- serum antibody test
Investigations to consider
- stool microscopy
- colonoscopy
- liver ultrasound
- CXR
- CT liver/chest/head
- MRI brain
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
Attending physician
AIDS Clinical Center
National Center for Global health and Medicine
Tokyo
Japan
Disclosures
KW is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.
Dr Koji Watanabe would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr William A. Petri, a previous contributor to this topic. WAP is a consultant for TechLab, Inc. which manufactures diagnostic tests for amebiasis and is also the author of a number of references cited in this topic.
Peer reviewers
Senior Lecturer in Microbiology and Medicine
Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center
Jerusalem
Israel
Disclosures
RNP declares that he has no competing interests.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases
University of Vermont College of Medicine
Burlington
VT
Disclosures
CH declares that he has no competing interests.
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