Fulminant amebic colitis: A rare and elusive complication

Abstract

Intestinal amebiasis remains asymptomatic in 90% of cases. Only 4%–10% of individuals monitored for 1 year develop colitis. Amebic colitis evolves to fulminant colitis or rupture in 0.5% of cases. In such scenario, mortality exceeds 50%. We report the case of a 55-year-old male who presented with signs of perforation and was taken up for surgery immediately. On histopathological examination, Entamoeba was diagnosed as the underlying cause of fulminant colitis.