| Theme |
Differential diagnosis for common enterocolitis, especially in endoscopic findings |
| Title |
Amoebic colitis |
| Author |
Hirotsugu Sakamoto |
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University |
| Author |
Aya Kitamura |
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University |
| Author |
Takahito Takezawa |
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University |
| Author |
Hakuei Shinhata |
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University |
| Author |
Yoshikazu Hayashi |
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University |
| Author |
Hiroyuki Sato |
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University |
| Author |
Tomonori Yano |
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University |
| Author |
Keijiro Sunada |
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University |
| Author |
Hironori Yamamoto |
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University |
| [ Summary ] |
Amebic colitis is a category V infection caused by infection with Entamoeba histolytica. The number of patients in Japan amounts to 800 cases per year. The major routes of infection are sexual contact and oral infection from food and drink. However origins remain unclear in many cases. The primary symptoms are diarrhea, mucous and bloody stools as well as abdominal pain. Characteristic colonoscopic findings are varioliform erosions and ulcers. Confirmation of trophozoites from biopsy specimens and stools provides a definitive diagnosis of amebic colitis. Metronidazole and paromomycin are used to treat amebic colitis. |