Most pts harboring Entamoeba species are asymptomatic, but some pts develop inflammatory colitis 2-6 weeks after ingestion of amebic cysts.

• Dysentery may develop, with daily passage of 10-12 small stools consisting mostly of blood and mucus. Fewer than 40% of pts have fever.
• Fulminant amebic colitis—characterized by more profuse diarrhea, severe abdominal pain with peritoneal signs, and fever—is more common among children.
• Liver abscess is the most common type of extraintestinal infection and can arise months after exposure to E. histolytica. Pts present with RUQ pain, fever, right-sided pleural effusion, and hepatic tenderness and typically do not have active colitis. The abscess can rupture through the diaphragm and metastasize elsewhere (e.g., lung, heart).