[Clinical diagnosis of malaria and amoebiasis]

Abstract

In all patients with fever after returning from tropical countries malaria must be excluded. Amebic liver abscess is an important differential diagnosis, especially in patients with pain in the right epigastrium. In all patients with diarrhea after returning from tropical countries amebic colitis is an important differential diagnosis. The diagnosis of malaria is based on microscopical demonstration of the parasite in blood slides. In patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria the extent of organ complications has to be checked. The diagnosis of intestinal amebiasis rests on parasitological stool examination. Amebic liver abscess is diagnosed by demonstration of the liver abscess in imaging techniques and verification by finding specific antibodies.