Amebic Hepatitis

The term amebic hepatitis has been used by some 1 as synonymous with hepatic amebiasis. Most commonly, however, this term is used to indicate the earlier phase of amebic hepatic disease before frank abscess can be diagnosed. Although at times the patient may not complain until frank abscess is present or even until rupture is imminent, 2 there is much evidence in the literature 3 to indicate the importance as a clinical entity of these earlier phases of amebic hepatic disease. Rogers 3 over thirty years ago described a presuppurative stage, by which he meant to differentiate the stage of abscess from simple amebic hepatitis. Actually it is impossible clinically to be certain that small single or multiple abscesses are not present at this time, and diagnosis and treatment at this stage are extremely important. The frequent lack of clarity in discussion of these pictures and the tendency to group