NMA/AGSM/2023/PUBH/ - Amoebic Perforation of the Bowel: A Case Report

Abstract

Amoebiasis is the third leading cause of death worldwide after Malaria and schistosomiasis and it still posed a major public health concern in developing countries. Entamoeba histolytica is a single-celled extracellular parasitic protozoan that causes amoebiasis which have two main clinical forms of extra intestinal and intestinal presentation, and with rare invasive disease affecting the intestine that may lead to perforation. We present a case of 13yrs old male patient who presented to the accident and emergency of our hospital with features of acute abdomen an assessment of Generalized peritonitis secondary to typhoid ileal perforation was made. Despites critical care and adequate surgery regrettably the patient died 12^th days post operative, the resected bowel was sent for histopathological analysis. A histological diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica was made. Bowel perforation due to Entamoeba histolytica was therefore entertained as the final diagnosis. We present this rare case in our environment. High index of suspicion for intestinal amoebiasis second to typhoid ileitis should be top on the differential diagnosis list in our environment