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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Amoebic liver abscess laboratory findings

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Laboratory tests consistent with diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess include complete blood count, ESR, C-reactive protein, liver function tests, and stool examination.[1][2][3][4]

Laboratory Findings

Laboratory Findings

Laboratory tests consistent with diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess include:[1]

Lab Test Findings
Complete blood picture
ESR and CRP Elevated ESR and C-reactive protein[2]
Liver function tests Acute infection[3][4]

Chronic infection

Hyperbilirubinemia and hypoalbuminemia is more common in amoebic liver abscess.[5]

Stool examination Microscopic stool examination for cysts

Examination for trophozoites

  • As the trophozoites are very sensitive and may be excreted intermittently, at least three fresh specimens are taken.
  • A combination of iodine-stained concentrates, trichome-stained preparations, and wet mount are used.
  • Trophozoites must be differentiated with neutrophils.

Findings suggestive of amoebic colitis include:

  • Charcot-leyden crystal protein
  • Positive test for heme
  • A paucity of neutrophils
References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tanyuksel M, Petri WA (2003). “Laboratory diagnosis of amebiasis”. Clin Microbiol Rev. 16 (4): 713–29. PMC 207118. PMID 14557296.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Blessmann J, Binh HD, Hung DM, Tannich E, Burchard G (2003). “Treatment of amoebic liver abscess with metronidazole alone or in combination with ultrasound-guided needle aspiration: a comparative, prospective and randomized study”. Trop Med Int Health. 8 (11): 1030–4. PMID 14629771.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Nazir Z, Moazam F (1993). “Amebic liver abscess in children”. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 12 (11): 929–32. PMID 8265284.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Thompson JE, Glasser AJ (1986). “Amebic abscess of the liver. Diagnostic features”. J Clin Gastroenterol. 8 (5): 550–4. PMID 3782753.
  5. ↑ Lodhi S, Sarwari AR, Muzammil M, Salam A, Smego RA (2004). “Features distinguishing amoebic from pyogenic liver abscess: a review of 577 adult cases”. Trop Med Int Health. 9 (6): 718–23. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3156.2004.01246.x. PMID 15189463.
  6. ↑ Johnson JL, Baird JS, Hulbert TV, Opas LM (1994). “Amebic liver abscess in infancy: case report and review”. Clin Infect Dis. 19 (4): 765–7. PMID 7803646.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yamuna Kondapally, M.B.B.S[2]