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Genital infection caused by E ntamoeba histolytica confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analyses
Author(s) -
Asano Hiroshi,
Kaneuchi Masanori,
Furuta Itsuko,
Yamaya Yukie,
Hatanaka Kanako C.,
Takeda Mahito,
Matsuno Yoshihiro,
Sakuragi Noriaki
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/jog.12351
Subject(s) - medicine , vaginitis , metronidazole , cytology , entamoeba histolytica , polymerase chain reaction , vaginal discharge , population , cervix , malignancy , gynecology , gastroenterology , protozoa , sex organ , pathology , obstetrics , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , cancer , biology , antibiotics , biochemistry , genetics , environmental health , gene
E ntamoeba histolytica is estimated to infect approximately 1% of the global population. In J apan, the prevalence of amebic dysentery has been increasing, with more than 800 patients newly diagnosed annually. However, genital infection with E . histolytica is uncommon even in endemic areas. We present a case of vaginitis caused by E . histolytica . A 50‐year‐old Japanese woman without history of overseas travel presented to a nearby clinic with increased vaginal discharge. She had hemorrhagic erosion at the uterine cervix with yellowish vaginal discharge, and was referred to our hospital for exclusion of malignancy. Cervical cytology revealed periodic acid‐Schiff‐positive protozoa not aggregating around squamous cells, and thus amebic vaginitis was suspected. We performed polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) analyses and identified E . histolytica . The vaginitis was treated with metronidazole, and the disappearance of amebic protozoa was confirmed by cytology and PCR . Therefore, it may be important to obtain early diagnosis by cervical cytology and PCR .