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02-Oct-2011
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Arch Hellen Med, 28(5), September-October 2011, 702-705 CASE REPORT Amebic liver abscess in a patient from Pakistan V. Karali,1 E. Petrou,1 P. Triantafyllopoulou,1 E. Poppis,2 G. Rekoumi,1 S. Papoulis1 |
Amebic liver abscess (ALA) is a fairly rare disease entity, especially outside endemic areas. The cause of the disease is the protozoon Entamoeba histolytica, which is transmitted to humans via the fecal-oral route and resides in the colon, either causing intestinal manifestations or dispersing to other organs, especially the liver, where it can create an abscess. Untreated ALA is characterized by a high mortality rate, due to the wide range of its possible complications. The case is presented of a man from Pakistan, recently entering Greece, who was investigated for high fever of unclear origin and in whom ALA was diagnosed. The patient responded favorably to treatment with the intravenous administration of antibiotics. ALA should always be a consideration in the process of differential diagnosis by the clinician of a febrile illness, especially when the patient has a history of residence in or travel to endemic areas. Epidemiological studies should be designed concerning the frequency of ALA in Greece.
Key words: Abscess, Entamoeba, Liver.
