Epidemiology of pyogenic liver abscesses in Germany: Analysis of incidence, risk factors and mortality rate based on routine data from statutory health insurance.

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) represent potentially life-threatening abdominal conditions that require immediate diagnosis and therapy. European and American incidence figures vary between one and 15 per 100,000 per year. Structured epidemiological data for European countries are not available. OBJECTIVE: To systematically characterize the epidemiology and clinical outcome of PLA in Germany. METHODS: In representative statutory health insurance data from four million people in 2013-2019, the prevalence and incidence with clinical coding of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)-10 code K75.0 were selected (n = 1118). Furthermore, demographics, relevant comorbidities, hospitalizations, mortality and complications were determined within one year. RESULTS: The incidence of PLA was approximately seven per 100,000. The average age at diagnosis was 66 years; 65% were male. Of these, biliary disease was documented in over 60% and infectious intestinal diseases were found in 21% within the same or previous calendar year. PLA patients had high comorbidity indices. Liver transplant status, malignancies of the liver and biliary system, liver cirrhosis and pancreatitis were strongly associated. Intensive care was documented in 27% of PLA cases. Nine percent died within 12 months, most with an underlying malignant disease. CONCLUSION: Pyogenic liver abscess is a rare disease with high morbidity. Predisposing and risk factors include intestinal and biliary diseases as well as hepatic malignancies. Further research should focus on PLA therapy within prospective surveys and controlled clinical trials.

Maximal diameter of liver abscess independently predicts prolonged hospitalization and poor prognosis in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with prolonged hospital stay and in-hospital mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients with pyogenic liver abscess who were admitted between 2005 and 2018 at three tertiary hospitals in Jeonbuk province, South Korea. Prolonged hospital stay was defined as a duration of hospital admission of more than 21 days. RESULTS: A total of 648 patients (406 men and 242 women) diagnosed with pyogenic liver abscess were enrolled in the study. The mean maximal diameter of the liver abscess was 5.4 ± 2.6 cm, and 74.9% of the lesions were single. The three groups were divided according to the maximal diameter of the abscess. Laboratory parameters indicated a more severe inflammatory state and higher incidence of complications and extrahepatic manifestations with increasing abscess size. Rates of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) insertion, multiple PCD drainage, and salvage procedures as well as duration of drainage were also higher in the large liver abscess group. Of note, the duration of hospitalization and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in the large hepatic abscess group. A multivariate analysis revealed that underlying diabetes mellitus, hypoalbuminemia, high baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin levels, and large maximal abscess diameter were independent factors associated with prolonged hospital stay. Regarding in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury at admission and maximal diameter of the abscess were independent factors associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: A large maximal diameter of the liver abscess at admission indicated prolonged hospitalization and poor prognosis. More aggressive treatment strategies with careful monitoring are warranted in patients with large liver abscesses.

Pyogenic liver abscess in liver transplant recipient: A warning signal for the risk of recurrence and retransplantation.

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic liver abscesses in liver transplant recipients (PLA-LTR) are a rare disease whose specificities compared with PLA in non-transplanted patients (PLA-C) are unknown. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in a French academic hospital from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2014. RESULTS: Among 176 patients diagnosed with PLA, 14 were LTR; each case was matched with 3 PLA-C controls by date of PLA diagnosis and pathophysiological mechanism of PLA. Median time from liver transplantation to PLA diagnosis was 34.5 months. Among 14 PLA-LTR, 8/14 (57.1%) had bacteremia and 10/14 (71.4%) had positive PLA cultures. Most commonly isolated bacteria were Enterobacteriaceae (9/14; 64.3%), Enterococcus spp. (4/14; 28.6%), and anaerobic bacteria (3/14; 21.4%). Clinical, radiological, and microbiological characteristics did not significantly differ between PLA-LTR and PLA-C but there was a tendency toward more diabetic patients and a less acute presentation. All but one PLA-LTR were associated with ischemic cholangitis, whereas this was a rare cause among PLA-C (13/14 vs 3/42, respectively, P < .001) among patients with PLA-LTR. In contrast, hepatobiliary neoplasia was rare in PLA-LTR but frequent in PLA-C (1/14 vs 24/42, P = .001). No significant difference was found between PLA-LTR and PLA-C in terms of duration of antibiotic therapy (6.5 and 6 weeks, respectively), PLA drainage rates (10/14 and 26/42, respectively), or mortality at 12 months after PLA diagnosis (2/14 and 5/42, respectively). Recurrence rates within the first year were observed in 6/14 patients (42.9%), and retransplantation was needed in 5/14 (35.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Occurrence of PLA in LTR is a severe event leading to high risk of recurrence and retransplantation.

The Epidemiology of Hip Fracture among Subjects with Pyogenic Liver Abscess (PLA): A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a potentially fatal disease that can stimulate prominent systemic inflammation. Osteoporotic hip fracture is a major complication of systemic inflammation. This study tried to determine the epidemiology of hip fractures among PLA patients. All subjects admitted due to PLA during 1999∼2010 were assessed, excluding the subjects with a history of high energy trauma, malignancy, and previous hip fracture. We matched the control subjects to PLA patients according to age, gender, and the coding of osteoporosis by 1 : 4 ratio. The PLA patients had a 1.17-fold risk of hip fracture than the controls (aHR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.07-1.29) after adjusting for gender, age, and comorbidities. Considering death as the competing event of suicide, the PLA patients had 1.10-fold suicide risk (aHR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.00-1.21) than the control subjects under the competing risks regression model. The cumulative incidence of hip fracture was higher in the PLA cohort (log-rank test, p < 0.001). When compared to the controls, the fracture risk was 18.4-fold (aHR = 18.4, 95% CI = 13.0-26.1) for the PLA patients admitted 2-3 times per year and 46.0-fold (aHR = 46.0, 95% CI = 31.2-67.8) for the PLA patients admitted ≧4 times per year. The impact of PLA is more prominent among the subjects aged <45 years (aHR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.42-5.56). Preventive measures for hip fracture might be warranted for PLA patients.

Effect of diabetes mellitus on short-term prognosis of 227 pyogenic liver abscess patients after hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is an inflammatory disease with increasing incidence. When it occurs with diabetes mellitus (DM), the risk of recurrence and mortality may increase. However, the effect of DM on the short-term prognosis of PLA patients after hospitalization remained unknown. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-seven PLA patients who received treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2011 to January 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. They were divided into two groups as the DM group (n = 61) and the Non-DM group (n = 166). In the DM group, HbA1C level < 7% was considered to be good-control of glycaemia (n = 23). The clinical characteristics and overall short-term survival were analyzed. RESULTS: The proportion of PLA patients with DM was 26.87%. In the DM group, there was a higher incidence of hypertension and Candida spp. infection. Conservative administration and percutaneous drainage were mainly used in patients with good- (60.87%) and poor-control (60.53%) of glycaemia, respectively. During follow-up, 24 (10.57%) died due to uncontrolled systemic infections and other serious complications. Compared with PLA patients without DM, patients in the DM group had significantly increased 6-month mortality rate after discharge (Log-Rank test, P = 0.021). Poor-control of glycaemia did not reduce the six-month survival, while the recurrence rate of PLA within 3 months showed an almost 3-fold increase (13.16% vs. 4.35%). Further multivariate analyses found that DM was the only independent risk factor for the PLA six-month survival (odds ratio [OR]: 3.019, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.138-8.010, P = 0.026). However, the blood glucose level had no significant effect on the short-term survival of PLA patients with DM (Log-Rank test, P = 0.218). CONCLUSIONS: In PLA patients, DM aggravated short-term mortality and blood glucose levels should be well controlled.

Risk Factors, Management, and Outcomes of Pyogenic Liver Abscess in a US Safety Net Hospital.

BACKGROUND: The causes and management of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) have undergone multiple changes over the past decades. It is a relatively rare disease in the USA, and its incidence rate in the USA is increasing. The last US community hospital experience of PLA was published in 2005. We performed a retrospective study of patients admitted with PLA to an urban safety net hospital. AIMS: To ascertain risk factors, management approaches, and outcomes of PLA. METHODS: Electronic medical record was queried for diagnosis codes related to PLA during the years 2009-2018. Clinical information was compiled in an electronic database which was later analyzed. Main study outcomes were in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission rate, and intensive care utilization rate. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients with PLA were admitted in the study period. Most common risk factors were diabetes mellitus (23.4%), previous liver surgery (20.7%), and hepatic malignancy (16.9%). 89% of patients were treated with percutaneous drainage or aspiration, and surgical drainage was reserved for other with other indications for laparotomy. In-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission, and intensive care utilization rates were 2.6%, 7% and 22%, respectively. Median length of stay was 11 days (inter-quartile range 7). Rate of antimicrobial resistance in abscess fluid cultures was 40%; 13 cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess were noted in our cohort, most of whom were Hispanic or Asian. CONCLUSIONS: PLA was principally managed by percutaneous drainage or aspiration with good outcomes. Further studies investigating the racial predilection of K. pneumoniae liver abscesses could reveal clues to its pathogenesis.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Management as Effective First-Line Treatment of Large Pyogenic Hepatic Abscesses.

Management of pyogenic hepatic abscesses (PHA) varies among surgeons and institutions. Recent studies have advocated for first-line percutaneous drainage (PD) of all accessible hepatic abscesses, with surgery reserved as rescue only. Our study aimed to internally validate an established multimodal algorithm for PHA at a high-volume hepatopancreatobiliary center. Patients treated by the hepatopancreatobiliary service for PHA were retrospectively reviewed from 2008 through 2018. The algorithm defined intended first-line treatment as antibiotics for type I abscesses (<3 cm), PD for type II (≥3, unilocular), and surgical intervention (minimally invasive drainage or resection, when possible) for type III (≥3 cm, multilocular). Outcomes were compared between patients who received first-line treatment following the algorithm versus alternate therapy. Of 330 patients with PHA, 201 met inclusion criteria. Type III abscesses had significantly lower failure following algorithmic approach with surgery compared with PD (4% vs 28%, P = 0.018). Type II abscesses failed first-line PD in 27 per cent (13/48) with 11 patients requiring surgical rescue, whereas first-line surgery failed in only 13 per cent (2/15). No deaths occurred after any surgical intervention, and there was no statistical difference in major complications between first-line surgical intervention and PD for type II or III abscesses. These results support the algorithmic approach and demonstrate that minimally invasive surgical intervention is a safe and effective modality for large PHA. We recommend that select patients with large, complex abscesses should be considered for a first-line minimally invasive surgical approach depending on surgical experience and available resources.

The geriatric nutritional risk index independently predicts adverse outcomes in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple and useful nutritional marker for predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing a variety of conditions. This study explored the relationship between GNRI and adverse outcomes of Pyogenic Liver Abscess (PLA) patients and assessed GNRI predictive value. METHODS: This was one retrospective study involving 240 PLA patients. According to one GNRI cutoff value of 90, the patients were divided into two groups. Besides, demographic, laboratory, adverse outcomes were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed. RESULTS: Compared with high GNRI patients, those with low GNRI had a higher risk of mortality (13.4% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.002), metastatic infection (17.7% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.050), acute hepatic failure (6.8% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.036), acute respiratory failure (7.4% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.024), upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding (11.9% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.006) and empyema (20.1% vs. 10.2%, P = 0.047). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated GNRI (< 90) as one independent factor in death prediction (odds ratio (OR) = 5.36, 95% of confidence interval (CI) = 1.17-24.48), and adverse outcomes (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.05-3.98). GNRI had the largest area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve than albumin, BMI, platelet, prothrombin time and hemoglobin in death prediction (area under ROC curves (AUC) = 0.771, cutoff value = 79.45, P < 0.01) and all adverse outcomes (AUC = 0.656, cutoff value = 87.43, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Lower levels of GNRI are an independent risk factor for poor PLA prognosis. Physicians should consider GNRI for PLA outcomes and consider more careful resuscitation and timely and appropriate treatment, especially in those with GNRI< 87.43.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a feasible prognostic marker for pyogenic liver abscess in the emergency department.

PURPOSE: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an effective predictor of mortality in patients with for various conditions. To date, there are no previous studies on NLR as a prognostic marker for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA), especially on admission to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: From January 2013 to December 2015, 102 patients diagnosed with PLA in the ED were included. Clinico-radiological and laboratory results, including NLR, were evaluated as variables. NLR was calculated as absolute neutrophil count/absolute lymphocyte count. To evaluate the prognosis of PLA, data on hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and development of septic shock were obtained. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed. RESULTS: Among 102 patients, 10 (9.8%) died, 14 (13.7%) were admitted to the ICU, and 15 (14.7%) developed septic shock during hospitalization. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed NLR as an independent factor in predicting death [odds ratio (OR), 1.4; p = 0.020], ICU admission (OR, 1.4; p = 0.021), and development of septic shock (OR, 1.6; p = 0.041). NLR showed an excellent predictive performance for death (areas under the ROC curves [AUC], 0.941; cut-off value, 19.7; p < 0.001), ICU admission (AUC, 0.946; cut-off value, 16.9; p < 0.001), and development of septic shock (AUC, 0.927; cut-off value, 16.9; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: NLR was positively associated with poor prognosis of PLA; elevated NLR could predictor of high risk of death, ICU admission, and development of septic shock. Emergency physicians should consider NLR for the prognosis of PLA and early aggressive treatment, especially in patients with NLR > 16.9.

Characteristics and management of pyogenic liver abscess: A European experience.

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) are space-occupying lesions in the liver associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to review an Italian hospital experience in epidemiological, clinical patterns, and management of PLA.We performed a retrospective, descriptive case series at a single center assessing demographic characteristics, presentation patterns, etiological factors, microbiological etiology, and management for patients treated for PLA between 2000 and 2016.Around 109 patients were identified. The majority of patients presented with fever (73%); right upper abdominal pain in 63.3%, vomiting and nausea in 28.4%. The most common laboratory abnormality among included items was increased C-reactive protein and fibrinogen blood levels, respectively, in 98% and 93.9% of cases. Abdominal ultrasound was the diagnostic investigation in 42.4% of cases; CT scan and MR imaging were performed in 51.1% and 3.3% of cases respectively. We observed blood or pus culture study in 99 cases of which only 53.5% came with positive microbial reports. The most common organism identified was Escherichia coli (26.5%), followed by Streptococcus spp (13.2%). Early antibiotic treatment started on all patients and 66.7% of cases required different approaches, Ultrasound or CT-guided needle aspiration of PLA was performed in 13 patients (11%) and percutaneous abscess drainage was performed on 72 patients (67%).PLA is a diagnostically challenging problem due to nonspecific presenting characteristics. The microbiological yield identified was a typical European spectrum with a preponderance of Escherichia coli infections. Once recognized, percutaneous drainage and antibiotic treatment are the mainstay of management for PLA.

Risk factors and outcomes of pyogenic liver abscess in adult liver recipients: a matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Adult liver recipients (ALR) differ from the general population with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) as they exhibit: reconstructed biliary anatomy, recurrent hospitalizations, poor clinical condition and are subjected to immunosuppression. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with PLA in ALR and to analyze the management experience of these patients. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2016, 879 adult patients underwent liver transplantation (LT), 26 of whom developed PLA. Patients and controls were matched according to the time from transplant to abscess in a 1 to 5 relation. A logistic regression model was performed to establish PLA risk factors considering clusters for matched cases and controls. Risk factors were identified and a multivariate regression analysis performed. RESULTS: Patients with post-LT PLA were more likely to have lower BMI (p = 0.006), renal failure (p = 0.031) and to have undergone retransplantation (p = 0.002). A history of hepatic artery thrombosis (p = 0.010), the presence of Roux en-Y hepatojejunostomy (p < 0.001) and longer organ ischemia time (p = 0.009) were independent predictors for the development of post-LT PLA. Five-year survival was 49% (95%CI 28-67%) and 89% (95%CI 78%-94%) for post-LT PLA and no post-LT PLA, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: history of hepatic artery thrombosis, the presence of hepatojejunostomy and a longer ischemia time represent independent predictors for the development of post-LT PLA. There was a significantly poorer survival in patients who developed post-LT PLA compared with those who did not.

Treatment with proton pump inhibitors is associated with increased mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are often used in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux and peptic ulcer disease. A higher risk for infectious diseases and for pyogenic liver abscess has been reported in patients with prolonged PPI intake. Although many patients have ongoing PPI treatment after diagnosis of liver abscess, there are no data available that focus on the prognostic impact of PPI treatment in these patients. AIM: To analyse the effect of PPI treatment on mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscesses. METHODS: Between January 2005 and March 2017, one hundred and eighty-one patients with pyogenic liver abscess were retrospectively included in this analysis. Medical records including PPI treatment, microbiological and imaging data were reviewed. The primary endpoint was index mortality and predictive factors were analysed using uni- and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: One hundred patients with pyogenic liver abscess (55.2%) were treated with PPI compared to 81 patients (44.8%) without PPI treatment. In both patient cohorts, enterococcus spp. and streptococcus of the anginous group were the most common pathogens identified. Patients with PPI treatment had significantly higher index mortality compared to patients without PPI treatment (30.0% vs 11.1%, P = 0.003). After adjusting for comorbidities PPI remained an independent predictive factor with an OR of 2.56 (1.01-6.46, P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: PPI treatment is associated with higher index mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess. Therefore, critical evaluation of the indication for PPI treatment is particularly important in patients at high risk for pyogenic liver abscess.

Pyogenic liver abscesses: a contemporary analysis of management strategies at a tertiary institution.

BACKGROUND: Despite equivocal evidence, non-surgical management for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) has become the standard of care at most institutions with surgery relegated to salvage therapy for those who fail less invasive means. The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes of a step-up approach to PLA management. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at a single institution for patients diagnosed with PLA over a 10-year period. Demographic, radiologic, microbiological, treatment, and outcomes data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: 64 patients with PLA were identified. Initial treatment included antibiotics alone (n = 9), percutaneous drainage (PD) (n = 54), and surgery (n = 1). Surgery was ultimately required in 8 patients while 50 were cured with PD and 4 with antibiotics alone. Two (3%) patients died. Overall, PD carried an 85% success rate. CONCLUSION: PLA patients should be initially treated non-operatively, barring indications for emergent surgery or inaccessibility for PD. Surgery can be reserved for failure of PD.

Pyogenic liver abscess: current status and predictive factors for recurrence and mortality of first episodes.

BACKGROUND: In times of modern surgery, transplantation and percutaneous techniques, pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) has essentially become a problem of biliary or iatrogenic origin. In the current scenario, diagnostic approach, clinical behavior and therapeutic outcomes have not been profoundly studied. This study analyzes the clinical and microbiological features, diagnostic methods, therapeutic management and predictive factors for recurrence and mortality of first episodes of PLA. METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was conducted including 142 patients admitted to the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, between 2005 and 2015 with first episodes of PLA. RESULTS: Prevailing identifiable causes were biliary diseases (47.9%) followed by non-biliary percutaneous procedures (NBIPLA, 15.5%). Seventeen patients (12%) were liver recipients. Eleven patients (7.8%) died and 18 patients (13.7%) had recurrence in the first year of follow up. The isolation of multiresistant organisms (p = 0.041) and a history of cholangitis (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for recurrence. Mortality was associated with serum bilirubin >5 mg/dL (p = 0.022) and bilateral involvement (p = 0.014) in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: NBPLA and PLA after transplantation may be increasing among the population of PLA in referral centers. History of cholangitis is a strong predictor for recurrence. Mortality is associated to hiperbilirrubinemia and anatomical distribution of the lesions.

Patients with culture negative pyogenic liver abscess have the same outcomes compared to those with Klebsiella pneumoniae pyogenic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND: Etiologic organism is not frequently isolated despite multiple blood and fluid cultures during management of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). Such culture negative pyogenic liver abscess (CNPLA) is routinely managed by antibiotics targeted to Klebsiella pneumoniae. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes of such clinical practice. METHODS: All the patients with CNPLA and Klebsiella pneumoniae PLA (KPPLA) admitted from January 2003 to December 2011 were included in the study. A retrospective review of medical records was performed and demographic, clinical and outcome data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 528 patients were treated as CNPLA or KPPLA over the study period. CNPLA presented more commonly with abdominal pain (P=0.024). KPPLA was more common in older age (P=0.029) and was associated with thrombocytopenia (P=0.001), elevated creatinine (P=0.002), bilirubin (P=0.001), alanine aminotransferase (P=0.006) and C-reactive protein level (P=0.036). CNPLA patients tend to have anemia (P=0.015) and smaller abscess (P=0.008). There was no difference in hospital stay (15.7 vs 16.8 days) or mortality (14.0% vs 11.0%). No patients required surgical drainage after initiation of medical therapy. CONCLUSION: Despite demographic and clinical differences between CNPLA and KPPLA, overall outcomes are not different.

Predictors of Mortality in Korean Patients with Pyogenic Liver Abscess: A Single Center, Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The mortality rate of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) has decreased dramatically, but it remains a potentially life threatening disease. Most cases are cryptogenic or occur in elderly men with underlying biliary tract disease. Although several studies have addressed the characteristics and etiology of PLA, research on factors affecting PLA-associated mortality is lacking. This study intended to identify the clinical and radiological features, pathogens, complications, and predictors of mortality in Korean PLA patients. METHODS: The medical records of 231 PLA patients diagnosed at Yeungnam University Medical Center between January 2010 and January 2014 were analyzed. A diagnosis of PLA was made based on imaging studies and blood and abscess cultures. The clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings of patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 64.0±12.9 years and the male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant organism isolated from hepatic abscesses (69.9%) and blood (74.2%). The most common complication was pleural effusion (35.8%) and most common co-infection was cholangitis (8.2%). The overa ll mortality rate of PLA was 6.9% (16/231), and was significantly higher in patients with a history of liver abscess (OR 5.970, 95% CI 1.207-29.529; p=0.028), bilirubinemia (>2 mg/dL) (OR 9.541, 95% CI 2.382-38.216; p=0.001), thrombocytopenia (< 140×10(3)/L) (OR 4.396, 95% CI 1.130-17.106; p=0.033), or anemia (< 12 g/dL) (OR 13.277, 95% CI 1.476-119.423; p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of PLA appears to be dependent on underlying pathologies and severity of condition. More aggressive treatment should be considered if a poor prognosis is expected.

Liver Resection for De Novo Hepatocellular Carcinoma Complicated by Pyogenic Liver Abscess: A Clinical Challenge.

BACKGROUND: De novo hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated by pyogenic liver abscess is rare, and the standard of care for this disease has yet been defined. This study assesses whether liver resection can be recommended as its standard treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the prospectively collected data of the 1725 patients who underwent primary liver resection for HCC at our hospital during the period from December 1989 to December 2012. Outcomes were compared between patients with and without liver abscess. RESULTS: Twenty-two (1.28 %) patients had HCC and liver abscess. Fourteen of them received preoperative drainage. Patients with and without abscess had similar tumor characteristics, but patients with abscess had more operative blood loss (2.2 vs. 0.8 L; p < 0.0001) and more of them needed blood transfusion (63.6 vs. 23.1 %; p < 0.0001). They also had a longer hospital stay (38.5 vs. 10 days; p < 0.0001), a higher hospital mortality (40.9 vs. 2.8 %; p < 0.001), a higher postoperative complication rate (100 vs. 25.9 %; p < 0.0001), and poorer 1, 3, and 5-years disease-free survival rates (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The post-resection mortality of the patients with de novo HCC complicated by pyogenic liver abscess was so high that liver resection is not recommended as the standard treatment. More research is needed to determine the best therapy for this rare disease.

Epidemiology and clinical outcome of pyogenic liver abscess: an analysis from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, 2000-2011.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of pyogenic liver abscess continues to change and the issue of antimicrobial therapy is controversial. This study investigated the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of antimicrobial therapy. METHODS: The annual incidence rates, demographic data, underlying diseases, complications, length of stay, mortality rates, and antimicrobial therapy were analyzed using the data retrieved from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000, Taiwan, from 2000 to 2011. RESULTS: The annual incidence of pyogenic liver abscess for all age groups increased gradually in Taiwan from 10.83 per 100,000 person-years in 2000 to 15.45 per 100,000 person-years in 2011. Pyogenic liver abscess occurred more commonly in patients with male sex, of older age (>50 years), and lower family income. Among the 1522 adult patients with pyogenic liver abscess, 537 (35.3%) patients had diabetes mellitus, 165 (10.8%) patients had complications, 234 (15.4%) patients received mechanical ventilation, and 361 (23.7%) patients had a stay in intensive care; the mortality rate was 8.2% (125/1522). There were 426 (28%) patients treated with cefazolin and 158 (10.4%) patients treated with extended-spectrum cephalosporins. There were no statistically significant differences in the length of stay and mortality rates between these two groups (20.2 days vs. 23.1 days; and 7.5% vs. 10.1%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of pyogenic liver abscess treated with cefazolin were comparable to those treated by extended-spectrum cephalosporins. Extended-spectrum cephalosporins should be used for severe complications, such as meningitis and endophthalmitis. Further surveillance of epidemiology and cohort analysis of antimicrobial therapy are important.

Pyogenic Liver Abscess: Does Escherichia Coli Cause more Adverse Outcomes than Klebsiella Pneumoniae?

BACKGROUND: This paper aims to demonstrate if Escherichia coli pyogenic liver abscess (ECPLA) results in adverse outcomes compared to Klebsiella pneumoniae PLA (KPPLA). METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients admitted at a tertiary hospital in Singapore from 2003 to 2011 was performed. Patients with age <18 years, amoebic liver abscess, infected liver cyst, culture negative abscess or ruptured liver abscess requiring urgent surgical intervention were excluded. Only patients with blood or pus culture confirmation of ECPLA (n = 24) or KPPLA (n = 264) were included. Median length of hospital stay, failure of non-operative therapy and 30-day mortality are the reported outcomes. RESULTS: ECPLA affects older patients (68 vs. 62 years, p = 0.049). Ischemic heart disease was more common in ECPLA (29 vs. 14 %, p = 0.048) and there was no difference in diabetic state (42 vs. 38 %, p = 0.743). ECPLA is more commonly associated with hyperbilirubinemia (60 vs. 34 µmol/L, p = 0.003), increased gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (236 vs. 16 IU/L, p = 0.038) and gallstones (58 vs. 30 %, p = 0.004). KPPLA are larger in size (6 vs. 4 cm, p = 0.006) and had percutaneous drainage (PD) more frequently (64 vs. 42 %, p = 0.034). There was no difference in median hospital stay (14 vs. 14 days, p = 0.110) or 30-day mortality (17 vs. 10 %, p = 0.307) between ECPLA and KPPLA. Among patients with ECPLA, antibiotic treatment with PD appeared to have higher mortality compared to antibiotic treatment alone (30 vs. 7 %) but this was not significant (p = 0.272). CONCLUSION: In the setting of multimodal care, outcomes of ECPLA are comparable to KPPLA.