Diagnosis and Management of Amoebic Empyema

Amoebic empyema is accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity caused by Entamoeba histolytica infection and is often associated with amoebic liver abscess. Disease progression was associated with poor socio-economic conditions and environmental sanitation, low education levels, poverty, crowded housing and contaminated water sources. Amoebic empyema occurs through several mechanisms including: liver abscess rupture through the diaphragm causing empyema, percontinuitatum spread to the lung, haematogenous or lymphogenous spread. Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination, laboratory investigation and radiological examination. Combination of serological tests and microscopic detection of parasites in clinical preparations is the best approach. Metronidazole combination with percutaneous drainage give better results.