Amoebiasis in an urban black population.

Amoebiasis is a common cause of dysentery and liver abscess at Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg. Forty-eight adult patients with amoebiasis were diagnosed during the 8-month period 1 December 1979 to 31 July 1980. There was a high incidence of extra-intestinal complications (38%) and a high mortality rate (12.5%) in this series. The importance of early surgery in fulminating dysentery which has not responded to amoebicidal therapy is emphasized. The need for early diagnosis is crucial, since failure to consider the possibility of the presence of amoebiasis may result in serious complications. This study demonstrates that endemic 'pockets' of amoebiasis are probably present in Soweto, Johannesburg. It is suggested that those involved in the preparation or handling of food for public consumption be clinically examined, and their stools examined for cysts of Entamoeba histolytica.