AMEBIC LIVER ABSCESS

Course overview

AMEBIC LIVER ABSCESS IS THE MOST COMMON EXTRA-INTESTINAL MANIFESTATION OF THE PROTOZOAN, ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA. THE LIFE CYCLE INVOLVES CONSUMPTION OF FECALLY CONTAMINATED FOOD AND WATER, THAT REACHES AND PENETRATES THE SMALL INTESTINE TO ENTER THE MESENTERIC VESSELS AND FINALLY THE LIVER. MEN YOUNGER THAN 50 WHO HAVE IMMIGRATED FROM OR TRAVELED TO AN ENDEMICALLY AFFECTED AREA ARE MOST COMMONLY AFFECTED. IT CAUSES FEVER, RIGHT UPPER QUADRANT ABDOMINAL PAIN, DIARRHEA, AND WEIGHT LOSS. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE LIFE CYCLE, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND TRANSMISSION OF THE PARASITE, AND ILLUSTRATES ITS CLINICAL FEATURES. IT EXPLAINS THE ROLE OF AN INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH AMEBIC LIVER ABSCESS. IT ALSO OUTLINES THE INDICATIONS FOR ASPIRATION OR SURGICAL DEBRIDEMENT OF THE ABSCESS AND MANAGEMENT OF ITS COMPLICATIONS.