Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pyogenic and amoebic liver abscesses are rare, potentially lethal conditions. In this study, we aimed to examine the clinical and pathological differences between them. METHODS: Patients with confirmed liver abscesses were divided into two groups: the pyogenic (n = 47) and amoebic group (n = 21), which were analyzed for differences in clinical and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Amoebic liver abscesses presented most frequently in young adults (14 - 30 years; 71%), whereas pyogenic liver abscesses were most commonly observed in adults 41 - 50 years (49%). Indirect hemagglutination test revealed a 100% positive response in the amoebic group, whereas 68% of the pyogenic group presented with blood/pus culture. Multiple abscesses were observed in 66% and 24% of patients in the pyogenic and amoebic group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pyogenic abscesses were commonly observed in older patients, and were associated with features such as markedly deranged liver function test, higher prothrombin time, and multiple abscesses, compared to amoebic abscess. Early and improved diagnoses and differentiation between the two conditions, followed by the correct treatment, can help prevent serious complications and lead to an overall improved mortality rate.
Highlights
Liver abscesses have been recognized for centuries, and in 1883, amoebae were first described as a cause of liver abscesses
Liver abscesses were aspirated to examine the type of abscess, and amoebic liver abscess was confirmed and diagnosed by using the indirect hemagglutination test
We analyzed the clinical characteristics of 68 patients of liver abscesses. 47 were diagnosed with pyogenic liver abscesses, and 21 were diagnosed with amoebic liver abscessed
Summary
Liver abscesses have been recognized for centuries, and in 1883, amoebae were first described as a cause of liver abscesses. (2014) Clinical and Pathological Comparison of Pyogenic and Amoebic Liver Abscesses. In the United States, the incidence of pyogenic liver abscess is estimated to be 8 - 15 cases per 100,000, but this figure is considerably higher in countries where health care is not readily available [6]. METHODS: Patients with confirmed liver abscesses were divided into two groups: the pyogenic (n = 47) and amoebic group (n = 21), which were analyzed for differences in clinical and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Amoebic liver abscesses presented most frequently in young adults (14 - 30 years; 71%), whereas pyogenic liver abscesses were most commonly observed in adults 41 - 50 years (49%). CONCLUSIONS: Pyogenic abscesses were commonly observed in older patients, and were associated with features such as markedly deranged liver function test, higher prothrombin time, and multiple abscesses, compared to amoebic abscess. And improved diagnoses and differentiation between the two conditions, followed by the correct treatment, can help prevent serious complications and lead to an overall improved mortality rate
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