Microbiology Interview Question:

A 42-year old patient from Ecuador is admitted with fever, right upper abdominal pain and is found to have a cystic mass of the liver. You suspect an amebic abscess and order stool exams that are reported as positive for E. histolytica and an ameba serology is positive at 1:256. Which statement is false regarding ameba?

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* A. He should be treated with two medications. One to kill the active trophozoites and a second to kill the cysts.
* B. Transmission is by fecal-oral means
* C. Amebic liver abscess can usually be treated with medication and do not need to be drained
* D. Transmission to a new person is generally done by the more resistant cyst form of the life cycle
* E. Aspirate from liver cysts can be used to make the diagnosis because they are loaded with white blood cells and E. histolytica cysts

Correct Answer: E
Submitted by: Administrator