Entamoeba histolytica as a cause of chronic diarrhea
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5712/rbmfc14(41)1917Keywords:
Diarrhea, Entamoeba histolytica, Dysentery, Amebic, Public HealthAbstract
Chronic diarrhea, characterized by the presence of more than three loose stools for at least four weeks, is often found in clinical practice. In chronic diarrhea, the probability of an infectious etiology is low, having usually a functional, inflammatory, osmotic or secretory origin. Intestinal amebiasis is a cause of chronic diarrhea, caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica, common and prevalent in developing countries. It can have different presentations but most patients are asymptomatic. We present a 27-year-old Caucasian male, man who have sex with men (MSM), with chronic diarrhea starting six years ago. The physical exam was normal. A parasitological stool examination was performed with isolation of cysts of Entamoeba histolytica. He was treated with metronidazole and paromomycin with clinical resolution. It is important for General Practice to address this etiology in the investigation of patients with diarrhea for a correct and timely diagnosis and treatment, to avoid unnecessary testing, possible complications, transmission of the agent and a serious public health problem.
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