Amoebic liver abscess contracted in India with diagnosis confirmed by PCR

摘要

Amoebiasis is a disease of parasitic origin responsible for dysentery and extraintestinal complications. It is due to the infection by Entamoebe histolytica an amoeba whose geographical distribution is cosmopolitan but that is more prevalent in tropical areas. Only a few infections are symptomatic and some of them may cause extraintestinal complications. Hepatic amoebiasis is the most frequently observed. We report the case of a Belgian woman who developed amoebic liver abscess after returning from a trip to India. The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR detection of E. histolytica DNA performed on the abscess fluid. The epidemiological, diagnosis and treatment aspects are discussed.