Amebiasis, today, in the United States.

A most important factor in the detection of amebiasis is to entertain the diagnosis first. Appropriate search for the parasite should precede other diagnostic or therapeutic efforts which may mask the correct diagnosis for weeks. An alert suspicious physician with competence at the microscope can save the patient from amebic neurosis secondary to over diagnosis as well as chronic ill health and possible death related to underdiagnosis.