A 38-year-old man is brought to the emergency room because of diarrhea for 2 days. He has abdominal cramps and has also noticed that his stools have a dark red tint. He returned from a trip to Mexico 3 weeks ago, where he completed a marathon. . He does not smoke and drinks 3-4 beers on weekends. His temperature is 38.8°C (101.8°F), pulse is 65/min, and blood pressure is 120/75 mm Hg. Stool testing is negative for C difficile toxin, and stool culture yields no bacteria. Sigmoidoscopy reveals colonic ulcers with undermining edges that contain trophozoites. The causative organism for this patient's current condition can also produce which of the following manifestations?

Question

A 38-year-old man is brought to the emergency room because of diarrhea for 2 days. He has abdominal cramps and has also noticed that his stools have a dark red tint. He returned from a trip to Mexico 3 weeks ago, where he completed a marathon. . He does not smoke and drinks 3-4 beers on weekends. His temperature is 38.8°C (101.8°F), pulse is 65/min, and blood pressure is 120/75 mm Hg. Stool testing is negative for C difficile toxin, and stool culture yields no bacteria.  Sigmoidoscopy reveals colonic ulcers with undermining edges that contain trophozoites.  The causative organism for this patient's current condition can also produce which of the following manifestations?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Entamoeba histolytica is an amoeba that causes colitis characterized by ulcers with undermining edges (ie, flask-shaped) that may contain cysts and trophozoites.  Trophozoites can occasionally (~1%) invade the colonic wall and disseminate through the blood to the liver, brain, or lungs.  Amebic hepatic abscess is the most common extraintestinal manifestation.

A 38-Year-Old Man Is Brought to the Emergency Room Because