Dyspnea and dysentery: a case report of pleuropulmonary amebiasis.
Pleuropulmonary amebiasis is an uncommon complication of Entamoeba histolytica infection. It typically occurs in endemic regions including Central and South America, Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The case of a previously healthy US Army male stationed in Liberia with an acute onset of fevers, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea is presented. He developed a productive cough with pleuritic chest pain and imaging revealed multiple liver abscesses, with rupture through the diaphragm causing a large right pleural empyema. A positive Entamoeba histolytica serum antibody and pleural fluid antigen confirmed the diagnosis. Surgical drainage of the pleural empyema and medical treatment with antiparasitics were necessary for symptom and disease resolution.
Shrestha
Merica
M
Departments of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Shah
Anita
A
Lettieri
Christopher
C
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004404:Dysentery, Amebic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008174:Lung Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole