A Case of Amoebic Colitis Complicated with Giardiasis

Abstract

A 55-year-old male visited our department for further examination with positive fecal occul blood test results in the mass screening for colorectal cancer. He complained of abdominal pain and diarrhea which had started about 2 months before. Small ulcers and erosions were observed in the ascending colon and cecum at colonoscopy. Biopsied specimen at the erosions showed numerous trophozoites in the mucosa. Many Lamblias were observed under a microscope in residual liquid collected in the ascending colon or cecum. Thus, this patient was diagnosed as amoebic colitis complicated with Giardiasis.
At colonoscopy performed 3 weeks after Metronidazole therapy (1000mg/day) , erosions and ulcers in the ascending colon and cecum disappeared. This patient was thought to be infected with both parasites by taking contaminated foods because he was not homosexual and had no HIV antibody.