Amebic Colitis

Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal protozoan that is spread by fecal-oral transmission. It causes amebic dysentery that can clinically resemble inflammatory bowel disease. Cecum and ascending colon are most commonly involved, although any part of the bowel may be affected. In severe cases, the infection may extend into the ileum. The patients present with abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and weight loss. The clinical course may be complicated by acute necrotizing enterocolitis, megacolon, and perforation (5-10%). This colectomy specimen with amebic colitis shows multiple coalesced ulcers covered by shaggy exudate.