[The morphology of amebiasis].

Amebiasis--a protozoan human disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica--occurs in the USSR sporadically in particular geographic regions and in particular populations. The paper reports morphologic findings made in patients with amebiasis involving the intestine or other organs. In typical cases, amebiasis affects the large intestine, particularly the cecum and ascending colon, and has the development of distinctive ulcers as its characteristic feature. As the disease progresses, these appear in all parts of the large intestine; less commonly, the terminal portion of the small intestine is also involved. The most frequent complications of amebic colitis are perforation and phlegmon, which result in peritonitis. Not infrequently, amebic abscesses arise in the liver or other organs through hematogenous dissemination of amebas. Histologic diagnosis of amebiasis may be difficult. Recommendations on how to detect amebas and the tissue changes peculiar to amebiasis are given.