Amebiasis Questions & Answers

Updated: Apr 08, 2022
  • Author: Vinod K Dhawan, MD, FACP, FRCPC, FIDSA; Chief Editor: Michael Stuart Bronze, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is amebiasis?

What are the signs and symptoms of amebiasis?

Which groups are at highest risk for amebiasis?

How is Entamoeba histolytica transmitted in the pathogenesis of amebiasis?

What is the disease course of Entamoeba histolytica infection and amebiasis?

How is amebiasis diagnosed?

What are the treatment options for amebiasis?

What is the role of Entamoeba histolytica in the pathogenesis of amebiasis?

Following ingestion, what is the life cycle of Entamoeba histolytica?

What is the immunopathology of Entamoeba histolytica in the pathogenesis of amebiasis?

How is amebiasis spread to the liver?

What is the immune response to Entamoeba histolytica in the pathogenesis of amebiasis?

What causes amebiasis and how does it manifest?

Which Entamoeba species are pathogenic?

How is Entamoeba histolytica transmitted?

What is the prevalence of amebiasis in the US?

Who is at highest risk for developing amebiasis?

What is the mortality rate for amebiasis in the US?

What is the global prevalence of amebiasis?

What is the association between amebiasis and HIV/AIDS?

How does the prevalence of amebiasis vary by age?

How does the prevalence of amebiasis vary by sex?

How does the prevalence of amebiasis vary by race?

In which groups is the severity of amebiasis increased?

What is the prognosis of amebiasis?

What actions can reduce the risk of amebiasis in travelers to endemic areas?

Presentation

What is the clinical spectrum of amebiasis?

What are the signs and symptoms of amebic colitis?

What are the signs and symptoms of liver abscess in amebiasis?

What is ameboma?

What is pleuropulmonary amebiasis?

What is cerebral amebiasis?

What is amebic peritonitis?

What is amebic pericarditis?

What are genitourinary symptoms of amebiasis?

How common is appendicitis a symptom of amebiasis?

What are the physical findings suggestive of amebiasis?

What are possible complications of amebic colitis?

What are possible complications of amebiasis-induced liver abscess?

What are possible complications of amebiasis?

DDX

What conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of amebiasis?

How is amebic liver abscess distinguished from other hepatic conditions?

What are the differential diagnoses for Amebiasis?

Workup

What is the role of lab tests in the diagnosis of amebiasis?

What is the role of microscopy in the diagnosis of amebiasis?

What is the role of cultures in the diagnosis of amebiasis?

What is the role of ELISA in the diagnosis of amebiasis?

What is the prevalence of serum antibodies in patients with amebiasis?

How are serum antibodies detected in amebiasis?

What is the role of IFA in the diagnosis of amebiasis?

What is the role of IHA in the diagnosis of amebiasis?

Which techniques are used to detect amebiasis antibodies?

What is the role of PCR in the diagnosis of amebiasis?

What is the role of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay in the diagnosis of amebiasis?

What is the role of radiography in the evaluation of amebiasis?

What is the role of ultrasonography and CT scanning in the evaluation of amebiasis?

What is the role of MRI in the evaluation of amebiasis?

What is the role of liver aspiration in the diagnosis of amebiasis?

How is liver abscess aspirate characterized in amebiasis?

What is the role of colonoscopy in the diagnosis of amebiasis?

When are intestinal biopsies indicated in the evaluation of amebiasis?

Which histopathologic findings suggest amebiasis?

What is the histopathological hallmark of amebic colitis?

What chemical stains can be used in the histological detection of Entamoeba histolytica in amebiasis?

Treatment

What are the treatment options for amebiasis?

When is hospitalization indicated for the treatment of amebiasis?

How is intestinal amebiasis distinguished from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?

When is treatment of asymptomatic amebiasis indicated?

What medications are used in the treatment of amebiasis?

What is the treatment for amebic colitis?

What is the treatment for amebic liver abscess?

What is the treatment for hepatic amebiasis?

What is the role of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the treatment of amebiasis?

When is surgical intervention indicated in the treatment of amebic colitis?

When is surgical intervention indicated for amebiasis?

When is drainage of amebic liver abscess necessary?

How is amebiasis prevented?

What is the role of vaccination in the prevention of amebiasis?

Medications

How should asymptomatic amebiasis be treated?

How should amebic be treated?

How should amebic liver abscess be treated?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics, Other are used in the treatment of Amebiasis?