Fulminant amebic colitis in an HIV-infected homosexual man

Abstract

We present a case of fulminant amebic colitis in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected homosexual man. The patient developed colonic perforation over a short time despite empirical therapy with metronidazole, and underwent right hemicolectomy. Amebic colitis was pathologically diagnosed by identifying invasive trophozoites of Entamoeba in a surgical specimen. Amebic colitis is one of the important differential diagnoses of acute abdomen in HIV-infected patients and/or homosexual men, especially in East Asia. Although fulminant amebic colitis is a rare manifestation of amebiasis, early diagnosis and treatment are thought to be important to improve the outcome of this highly fatal complication. © 2011 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.