Peristomal cutaneous amebiasis causing rapidly progressive necrotic wound of a left lower quadrant end colostomy.

Debra Lai, Byung Kyu Kim, Amir Bastawrous

BMJ case reports 2024 Jan 18

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Cutaneous amebiasis is a rare clinical entity caused by the invasive protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica that can be readily diagnosed with skin biopsy if suspected. It presents as a rapidly progressive and destructive ulceration with necrosis. A man in his 40s with metastatic rectal cancer who underwent palliative abdominal perineal resection with end colostomy in his left lower quadrant and on systemic chemotherapy developed progressive breakdown of his peristomal skin unresponsive to antibiotics that was then diagnosed to be cutaneous amebiasis. It is important to be aware of cutaneous amebiasis and include it in the differential diagnosis when peristomal wounds do not respond to treatment. © BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Citation

Debra Lai, Byung Kyu Kim, Amir Bastawrous. Peristomal cutaneous amebiasis causing rapidly progressive necrotic wound of a left lower quadrant end colostomy. BMJ case reports. 2024 Jan 18;17(1)