Amoebiasis of other organs

Amoebiasis of the lungs is generally the result of the spread of an amoebic abscess of the liver, which perforates through to the base of the lung. Breakthrough to a bronchus may occur. The prognosis is usually favourable. Amoebic pleuritis (empyema) is an unpleasant complication because of the need to drain the empyema. Other locations are rare and include:

• Primary amoebiasis of the lung without prior hepatic amoebic abscess.

• Abscesses in muscles, e.g. the thigh.

• Ulceration of the skin of the lower limbs by amoebae, which could be the result of superinfections of skin wounds due to scratching with dirty nails.

• Urogenital forms, either due to fistula formation of intestinal lesions to the bladder or even, in women, of peri-anal ulcers to the vagina and cervix of the uterus.

• Location on the penis if the partner has ulcers of the vagina/cervix or anal ulcers.

• Parasites may appear elsewhere and lead to abscesses in other organs, e.g. the brain.

Category: Medicine Notes