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Diagnosis of amebiasis

Emphasizing proctoscopic and microscopic examination and a new solution for preserving specimens

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Summary

It is difficult to diagnose chronic amebiasis, owing to variations of clinical symptoms and the character of rectal lesions, which may simulate lesions encountered in other types of rectal disease.

It is unwise to ignore the possibility of amebiasis because of negative results obtained by examination of stools in series by concentration methods. Neither is it safe to rely on stool cultures and complement fixation tests.

Microscopic examination of scrapings of the rectal mucosa in doubtful cases of ulceration offers one of the most reliable means of diagnosing amebiasis.

Material obtained by scraping the rectal mucosa and preserved in solution F2AM may be examined two months later and trophozoites and cysts of the protozoa will have lost none of their original characteristics.

Solution F2AM serves as a fixative, clearing and coloring agent as well as a medium for concentration. It is useful to proctologists and to physicians who perform proctoscopy in the course of general practice and who wish to have stool specimens and scrapings of the rectal mucosa examined by a parasitologist. Solution F2AM is easily prepared, the ingredients are available in all drugstores and they are inexpensive.

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References

  1. Anderson, H., W. Bostick and H. Johnstone: Amebiasis. Springfield, Charles C Thomas, 1953, p. 202.

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  2. Basnuevo, J. G.: Diagnóstico de certeza del parasitismo intestinal en Cuba. (Solución F2AM). Rev. Kuba Med. Trop. Vol. 11, Nos.7 al21: 56, Julio-Diciembre 1956, Habana, Cuba.

  3. Basnuevo, J. G. and E. y Figares: Diagnóstico y tratamiento del Síndrome disentérico por Trichuris trichiura, por Endamoeba histolytica y por Balantidium coli. Rev. Kuba Med. Trop. Vol. 12, Nos.7 al12: 60, Julio-Diciembre 1956, Habana, Cuba.

  4. Basnuevo, J. G.: El Raspado F2AM de la Mucosa Intestinal en el diagnóstico de la Amibiasis. Rev. Kuba Med. Trop. Vol. 13, Nos.1 al6: 32, Enero-Junio 1957, Habana, Cuba.

  5. Basnuevo, J. G., S. Rodríguez, J. Esber, J. Amor and A. y Manzano: Solución F2AM para la conservación de Protozoarios y Huevos y Larvas de Helmintos. Rev. Laboratorio. Año II, Num.2: 76, Marzo-Abril 1957, Habana, Cuba.

  6. Basnuevo, J. G.: Caracteres epidemiológicos de la Amibiasis en Cuba. Rev. Kuba Med. Trop. Vol. 14, Nos.1 al6: 10, Enero-Junio 1958, Habana, Cuba.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Havana, Cuba

    José G. Basnuevo M.D. & Enrique Figares M.D.

Authors
  1. José G. Basnuevo M.D.
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  2. Enrique Figares M.D.
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Additional information

Read at the meeting of the American Proctologic Society, June 29 to July 3, 1958, Los Angeles, California.

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Basnuevo, J.G., Figares, E. Diagnosis of amebiasis. Dis Colon Rectum 2, 188–193 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02616715

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02616715

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