Amebiasis: Epidemiologic Studies in the United States, 1971-1974

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Seven investigations of suspected foci of amebiasis between Oct. 1971 and June 1974 lead to 3 conclusions. A number of laboratories have vastly overdiagnosed amebiasis and have reported leukocytes in stools as Entamoeba histolytica. Two laboratories found in error were in community hospitals and one was at a teaching hospital associated with a medical school and a school of public health. These 3 laboratories were diagnosing more than 1200 cases of amebiasis a year for 20 yr. When amebiasis does occur, it is likely to be misdiagnosed. In 1 outbreak with 4 cases and 3 deaths, amebiasis was not diagnosed until 2 patients died and another was critically ill. Sporadic cases may be mistakenly diagnosed as ulcerative colitis and inappropriately treated with steroids. Foci of endemic amebiasis continue to exist in the USA in institutions and in noninstitutional settings.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: