title: [Hepatic amebiasis in French Polynesia. A study of 25 cases].
abstract: The authors report a retrospective study of 25 cases of hepatic amebiasis which were observed from 1988 to 1990 in Tahiti. The symptoms were typical in 20 patients and incomplete in 5 other patients. The ultrasonic examinations showed one (n = 14) or several abscesses (n = 11). The majority were located at the right lobe of the liver (84%). Except in one case where the abscess had a high echo response (it was a pseudo-tumour), the others showed a low echo response or were liquid. The serology (hemagglutination) was always positive but once, at the first examination or afterwards. Recovery was obtained by all patients on an average of 6 days for clinical signs and of three months for ultrasonic features, by administering Metronidazole, combined twice with a drainage (transcutaneous = 1 case, surgical = 1 case). Neither rupture, nor relapse occurred. This series is related to other studies made in South Pacific, Africa and France. It underlines the topicality of amebiasis in French Polynesia, and the interest for the Health Services to carry out a program against this endemy.
authors.affiliation: Médecin des hôpitaux, Centre Hospitalier des Armées.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Imbert
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sordet
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roblin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oberti
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gentelet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000563:Amebicides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008101:Liver Abscess, Amebic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011114:Polynesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000563:Amebicides; D008795:Metronidazole
vernacular_title: L'amibiase hepatique en Polynesie Française. Etude de 25 observations.