From the Research
Prevalence of Amoebiasis in Pediatric Patients
- The provided studies do not specifically address the prevalence of amoebiasis as a cause of liver abscess in pediatric patients 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- However, it is mentioned that Entamoeba histolytica mainly infects children in developing countries, transmitted by food and water contamination 5.
- The studies primarily focus on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of amoebiasis in general, without providing specific data on the prevalence of amoebiasis in pediatric patients with liver abscess.
Clinical Manifestations and Epidemiology
- Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) is a common problem in the tropical world, where it affects over three-quarters of patients with liver abscess 2.
- The parasite is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, and once it establishes itself in the colon, it has the propensity to invade the mucosa, leading to ulceration and colitis, and to disseminate to distant extraintestinal sites, the most common of which is the liver 1.
- People of the male gender, during their reproductive years, are most prone to ALA, and this appears to be due to a poorly mounted immune response linked to serum testosterone levels 2.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Recent years have seen the development and refinement of newer molecular diagnostic techniques that can greatly aid in overcoming the diagnostic challenge in endemic areas where serology-based tests have limited accuracy 2.
- Metronidazole has been the drug of choice for ALA patients for many years, but concerns over resistance and adverse effects necessitate the creation of new, safe, and potent antiamebic medications 2.