Factors influencing colonic involvement in patients with amebic liver abscess

The frequency of colonic involvement in patients with amebic liver abscess has not been studied in detail. The factors influencing colonic involvement also are unknown. Seventy-one patients with amebic liver abscess were studied. Colonoscopy was performed in all patients. Abdominal pain and fever were the most common presenting manifestations. Ten patients (14%) had diarrhea at admission. Ten other patients had a history of diarrhea during the preceding 2 months. Thirty-nine (55%) patients had colonic ulcers. Colonic ulcers were present in 18 of the 20 (90%) patients with ongoing diarrhea or a history of recent diarrhea, and in 21 of 51 (41%) patients without diarrhea ( p