1/4. Asymptomatic amoebic infection: entamoeba histolytica or Entamoeba dispar? That is the question.Two cases of amoebic infection were diagnosed in a heterosexual couple. The cases, a Frenchman with previous trips to various African countries and his sexual partner, a Cameroonese woman immigrant living outside the community, were both asymptomatic; the infection had been diagnosed by chance in the man at the time of his employment in a hospital kitchen. Based on what is known of the epidemiology of amoebic infection, it may be acquired and then transmitted within a couple via the indirect faecal-oral route or, in greater likelihood, by sexual practices. Both amoebic isolates were characterised by isoenzyme electrophoresis as non-pathogenic Entamoeba dispar, zymodemel. Other diagnostic tools, such as ELISA direct stool antigen detection tests and serological assays were employed, confirming the diagnosis of E. dispar infection. Given there are a number of asymptomatic cyst passers of entamoeba histolytica, besides human carriers of saprophyte E. dispar, we stress the importance of applying, when possible, advanced protocols of diagnosis to distinguish the microscopically identical pathogenic species from the non-pathogenic one.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Invasive amebiasis as an emerging parasitic disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in taiwan.BACKGROUND: Whether risk of invasive amebiasis due to entamoeba histolytica is higher among human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)-infected persons than uninfected persons remains unclear, although intestinal colonization by Entamoeba dispar is common among men who have sex with men. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of invasive amebiasis and intestinal colonization by E histolytica and E dispar in hiv-infected persons and uninfected controls. methods: We assessed the prevalence of invasive amebiasis by case review of 951 hiv-infected persons and by serologic studies of 634 of the 951 hiv-infected persons, 429 uninfected controls with gastrointestinal symptoms, and 178 uninfected healthy controls using indirect hemagglutination antibody assay. We assessed the rate of intestinal colonization by E histolytica and E dispar by fecal antigen and polymerase chain reaction tests in 332 asymptomatic hiv-infected persons and 144 of the 178 uninfected healthy controls. RESULTS: Forty-nine (5.2%) of 951 hiv-infected persons had 51 episodes of invasive amebiasis. A high indirect hemagglutination antibody titer was detected in 39 (6.2%) of 634 hiv-infected persons compared with 10 (2.3%) of 429 uninfected controls with gastrointestinal symptoms and 0 of 178 uninfected healthy controls (P<.001). Stool specimens from 40 (12.1%) of 332 hiv-infected persons and 2 (1.4%) of 144 uninfected healthy controls were positive for E histolytica or E dispar antigen (P<.001). Ten (25.0%) of the 40 antigen-positive stool specimens from hiv-infected persons contained E histolytica. CONCLUSION: persons infected with hiv in taiwan are at increased risk for invasive amebiasis and exhibit a relatively high frequency of elevated antibody titers and intestinal colonization with E histolytica.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Amoebic hepatic abscesses in an hiv-positive patient.Herein we report the case of hepatic amoebic abscesses in an hiv-positive Italian seaman with a history of promiscuous heterosexual intercourse. In October 2004, the patient was hospitalized because of fever and recurring abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed six hepatic hypoechoid oval lesions with hyperechoid margins. Stool samples were negative for parasites and bacteria, and serology for entamoeba histolytica was also negative. Therapy with meropenem plus levofloxacin was initiated. After a partial resolution of clinical symptoms and reduction of three hepatic lesions, the patient was again hospitalized in December 2004, because of recurring intense pain at the right hypochondrium and fever. At this time, one hepatic lesion at the sixth segment was enlarged, two lesions were unchanged, and the remaining three smaller abscesses were resolved. serum antibodies for E. histolytica and amoebic antigens on the largest abscess drainage were positive; moreover, E. histolytica was also identified on drainage fluid with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Therapy with metronidazole followed by paromomycin improved both symptoms and radiographic images. This case report suggests that in hiv-infected patients, invasive amoebiasis should be considered and atypical aspects, such as multiple hepatic lesions, delayed positivity of serology for E. histolytica, and possible bacterial superinfection should be evaluated.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Henoch Schonlein purpura and amebiasis.The pathogenesis of Henoch Schonlein purpura (HSP) is unknown but is believed to result from an immune complex reaction to various antigenic stimuli, such as infectious agents. However, its association with entamoeba histolytica has not been reported before. We present an 11-year-old boy with HSP, confirmed by the demonstration of leukocytoclastic vasculitis from skin and diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis, together with immunoglobulin a and complement component C3 deposition from renal biopsies. cysts and trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica were detected from the stool of the patient at the same time and disappeared after the treatment with metranidasole. The temporal association of these two disorders is either coincidental or due to a causal relationship between them.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |