Fatal attraction: intestinal amebiasis and COVID-19 as risk factors for colonic perforation

J Surg Case Rep. 2021 Jul 23;2021(7):rjab301. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjab301. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

The parasite Entamoeba histolytica, the causal agent of amebiasis, is considered a worldwide emergent disease and still represents an important cause of death in Mexico. Here, we describe a clinical case, involving an inflammatory response to both Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and intestinal amebiasis 54-year-old, COVID-positive Mexican gentleman was admitted to surgery following 6 days of hematochezia. An exploratory laparotomy and colonoscopy revealed multiple fibrous and amebic ulcerations (5-10 cm in diameter), with necrotic tissue predominantly localized in the sigmoid, descending and ascending colon. We discuss the pathophysiological interplay of both COVID-19 and intestinal amebiasis with the aim of highlighting a potentially novel aggravating mechanism in surgical patients suffering from colonic perforation in the setting of abdominal sepsis.

Keywords: COVID-19; colonic perforation; hematochezia; intestinal amebiasis; organotropism; thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports