Trudności w diagnostyce pełzakowatego ropnia wątrobowego
[Diagnostic difficulties in amebic liver abscess]

STRESZCZENIE

Pełzakowica jest chorobą pasożytniczą, wywołaną przez infekcję specyficznym dla człowieka pierwotniakiem Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica). W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono trudności diagnostyczne u pacjentów wracających z rejonów endemicznych pełzakowicy, diagnozowanych w kierunku amebowego ropnia wątroby.

ABSTRACT

Amebiasis is a widespread parasitic infection caused by the human-specific protozoan Entamoeba histolytica ( E. histolytica). Tropical and subtropical regions with poor socioeconomic and sanitary conditions belong to endemic areas. The highest rates of E. histolytica infection are observed in India, Mexico, Africa, some parts of Central and South America. Up to 90% of infections remain asymptomatic, about 10% of patients develop amebic colitis. About 10% of symptomatic individuals may present with an extraintestinal manifestation, mostly amebic liver abscess (ALA). Clinical symptoms of ALA appear within 5 months after an exposition to E. histolytica cysts. Anamnesis revealing a travel to endemic area plays a crucial role in a diagnostic process, which is further supported by an physical examination, radiological findings, serology and parasitology test. The following article presents the difficulties which may occur when the ALA is suspected in a patient traveling from endemic areas.

Key words: ALA, diagnostics, amebiasis, amebic liver abscess