Amebic peritonitis.

A total of 18 patients with amebic peritonitis were studied. Fourteen of these cases were due to rupture of amebic liver abscess into the peritoneum and the remaining cases were due to perforation of amebic colitis. No initial suspicion of amebic etiology was made in more than half of the cases. In the group of ruptured liver abscesses, nearly half of the patients showed right lower lung syndrome. The diagnosis in 13 of 14 cases of rupture of liver abscess was confirmed on aspiration. Patients with ruptured amebic liver abcess were of two types: 1. Diffuse type with diffuse signs, shorter duration of illness and poor prognosis. 2. Localized type with longer duration of illness, marked signs of peritonitis and better prognosis. Once the diagnosis of peritonitis was made, the management was surgical. Conservative treatment was tried only in cases with signs of localization. The mortality rate had been 33% in amebic liver abscess rupturing into the peritoneum and 75% in perforation of the intestine. A high index of suspicion of amebiasis in patients with an acute abdomen and institution of early treatment are recommended to help in reducing this mortality. Amebic liver abscess and amebic dysentery should be treated energetically to avoid this fatal complication and surgical intervention whenever indicated should not be delayed.