The Challenging Path to Diagnosing Extraintestinal Amoebiasis: A Case Report of an HIV-Infected Patient.

Background: Amoebiasis, an infectious disease caused by the parasitic protozoan E. histolytica, is easily misdiagnosed due to its declining incidence and atypical symptoms. Case Presentation: A 31-year-old male presented to the hospital with dyspnea and inability to lie flat. Imaging studies indicated a large amount of pleural effusion on the right side and multiple huge cysts in the liver. The patient underwent liver tumor resection surgery at another hospital due to suspected malignancy, but no evidence of relevant malignant tumors was found in the pathological examination. Subsequently, we performed metagenomic next-generation sequencing on the liver drainage fluid and obtained liver pathology slides from the hospital where the surgery was performed at that time. Both of them confirmed the diagnosis of amoebic infection. Empirical treatment with metronidazole was initiated before the diagnosis was confirmed, along with symptomatic treatments such as thoracic drainage and liver drainage. Eventually, the patient's condition improved and he was discharged smoothly. Conclusion: In order to avoid misdiagnosis of amoebiasis, thoroughly inquiring about the patient's medical history, shifting perspectives and continuing investigating are necessary when one diagnostic approach proves ineffective. Besides, interdisciplinary collaboration and persistent efforts are crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Hepatic abscesses.

Hepatic abscesses are potentially lethal diseases if early diagnosis and treatment are not instituted. They are prevalent all over the globe and pyogenic abscesses are predominant over amoebic. With better control of intra abdominal and systemic infections by a spectrum of antibiotics, aetiology of pyogenic abscesses are secondary to interventions and diseases in the biliary tree to a large extent today. The common organisms isolated are the Gram negative group. Amoebic abscesses continue to plague some regions of the world where hygiene and sanitation are questionable. Over the years, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis have evolved remarkably. Imaging modalities like ultrasonography and CT scan have become the cornerstone of diagnosis. The absence of ionizing radiation makes MRI an attractive alternative in patients who require multiple follow up scans. Serological testing in amoebic abscesses has become more reliable. Though antibiotics have remained the principal modality of management, percutaneous drainage of abscesses have vastly improved the chances of cure and bring down the morbidity drastically in pyogenic abscesses. Amoebic abscesses respond well to medical treatment with nitroimidazoles, and minimally invasive surgical drainage is an option in cases where open surgery is indicated.

Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Outcome of Liver Abscess: A Single-Center Experience.

Introduction Liver abscesses are rare, but whenever they occur, it is predominantly among males over 60 years of age. The paradigm in the treatment has changed, and percutaneous drainage is now the initial treatment for drainage of the abscesses. Open surgery is reserved for patients with septated abscesses and those greater than 5 cm. Objective  To study the etiological, clinical, pathological, and demographic characteristics of individuals with liver abscesses and to evaluate the outcome associated with different treatment strategies. Methods This clinico-epidemiological study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Jodhpur. One hundred patients with liver abscesses were studied. Patients were assigned to three groups: Group 1 - medical management alone (in non-aspirable uncomplicated abscess), Group 2 - USG-guided needle aspiration or pigtail percutaneous catheter drainage plus medical management (in unruptured aspirable abscess), Group 3 - open surgical drainage plus medical management (In ruptured abscesses). Of the total patients, 36% were treated with medical therapy alone, 45% with USG-guided needle aspiration, 10% with USG-guided percutaneous catheter drainage, and 9% with open surgical drainage. Results In our study, fever and hepatomegaly were the commonest presentations, observed in 91% and 62% of cases, respectively. Escherichia coli (E.coli) was the predominant organism cultured in 28 (43.75%) patients followed by Klebsiella growing in 24 (37.50%) patients. The right lobe was affected more (83%) than the left lobe and in the majority (83%), a solitary abscess was present. The mean age of liver abscess presentation was 40.72 years, with a 5.67:1 male-to-female ratio. Alcohol consumption was reported by 33% of patients, the majority of whom were men. Serum bilirubin was elevated in 56% of liver abscess patients, while it was normal in 44%. The mean serum bilirubin was 2.08 mg/dl. The mean value in group 1, group 2, and group 3 was 1.44 mg/dl, 2.23 mg/dl, and 2.57 mg/dl, respectively. Liver abscesses were identified in 76% of patients with right lobes; 83% had solitary liver abscesses and 17% had numerous abscesses. Abscess culture showed E. coli in 21 (32.81%) and Klebsiella in 17 (26.56%) patients. Conclusion Right-sided solitary pyogenic liver abscess caused by E.coli is the most common liver abscess, with fever and hepatomegaly as the most common presentation. Non-aspirable liver abscesses, regardless of aetiology, can be successfully treated by medical therapy alone. Needle aspiration or catheter drainage is standard for liver abscesses. Thus, needle aspiration has replaced the surgical exploration of liver abscesses.

Bacterial Superinfection of Amoebic Liver Abscess.

A 78-year-old male, originally from China, was brought to the hospital for weakness, urinary incontinence, confusion, and poor oral intake. He was started on empiric antibiotics, which were narrowed when blood cultures produced gram-negative bacteremia speciating to Klebsiella pneumoniae, sensitive to ceftriaxone. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a large cystic region with air-fluid level in the left lobe of the liver. Suspecting this to be the source of the patient's bacteremia, the lesion was percutaneously drained and the fluid cultured, which also revealed ceftriaxone-sensitive Klebsiella pneumoniae. While a stool ova and parasite examination on the patient was negative, further workup was positive for Entamoeba histolytica antibody in the serum, detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indicative of either current or past infection. This suggested possible prolonged subclinical infection with bacterial superinfection, especially given that Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most common organisms cultured from these abscesses. In patients with liver abscesses who immigrated from developing and/or endemic regions or have a relevant recent travel history, an underlying amoebic etiology of an abscess should be considered.

[Diagnosis and therapeutic aspects of the amoebic liver abscesses in the surgery at point "G" Hospital]. / Aspects Diagnostiques et Therapeutiquesdes Abces Amibiens du Foie dans le Service de Chirurgie "A" du CHU du Point "G".

AIM: Our aim was to evaluate the diagnosis and therapeutic aspects of the amoebic liver abscesses in the surgery «A¼ department of the University hospital Point "G". PATIENTS AND METHODS: Were included in this study, patients admitted to the surgery «A¼ department for amoebic liver abscess confirmed by a positive amoebic serology and the chocolate appearance of bacteria-free pus. Bacterial liver abscesses were not included into this study. RESULTS: Over a 10-year period, 52 cases of patients diagnosed with amoebic liver abscess were collected in the department. There were 41 men and 11 women, with a sex ratio of 3.7. The mean age was 37.8 years old with extremes of 15 and 66 years. The most represented professions were farmers (36.5%) followed by salesmen (26.7%) and students (11.5%). The average outpatient visit delay time was 18.5 days with the extremes of 5 and 34 days. The most frequent clinical signs were pain in the right hypochondrium (86.5%), fever (78.8%) and hepatomegaly (61.5%). Abdominal ultrasound showed a single located abscess in 44 patients (84.6%) and these abscesses were localized in the right hepatic lobe in 34 patients(65.4%). The average volume of the abscess was 366.5 cm3 with the extremes of 36 cm3 and 1580 cm3. Amoebic serology was positive in 38 patients (80.9%). Cytobacteriological analysis of pus in 37 patients (71%) was negative. Patients underwent an ultrasound assisted needle aspiration of pus in 65.4% he. Laparotomy and a laparoscopic approach were performed in 7.7% and in 5.8%, respectively. The clinical course was uneventfulin 94.2%. The mean hospital stay duration was 16.5 days with the extremes of 4 and 29 days. No death was recorded during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Amoebic liver abscess is an uncommon pathology in a surgical setting. Abdominal ultrasound andechography guided liver puncture allowed the diagnosis. Laparoscopic approach minimizes the burden of the laparotomy.

BUT: Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer les aspects diagnostiques et thérapeutiques des abcès amibiens du foie dans le service de chirurgie " A " du CHU du Point G. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODES: Ont été inclus dans cette étude, les patients admis dans le service de chirurgie "A" pour abcès amibien du foie sur la base de la positivité de la sérologie amibienne, de l'aspect chocolat du pus et de l'absence de bactéries dans le pus. Les abcès bactériens ont été exclus de cette étude. RÉSULTATS: En 10 ans, 52 dossiers de patients diagnostiqués pour abcès amibiens du foie ont été colligés dans le service. Il s'est agi de 41 hommes et de 11 femmes soit un sex-ratio de 3,7. L'âge moyen des patients a été de 37,8 ans avec des extrêmes de 15ans et 66 ans. Les professions les plus représentées ont été les cultivateurs (36,5%), les commerçants (26,7%) et les élèves et étudiants (11,5%).Le délai moyen de consultation a été de 18,5 jours avec des extrêmes de 5 jours et 34 jours. Les signes cliniques les plus fréquents ont été la douleur de l'hypochondre droit (86,5%), la fièvre (78,8%) et l'hépatomégalie (61,5%). L'échographie abdominale a objectivé un abcès unique dans 44 cas (84,6%) et l'abcès a été localisé dans le lobe hépatique droit dans 34 cas (65,4%). Le volume moyen de l'abcès était de 366,5cm3 avec des extrêmes de 36 cm3 et 1580cm3. La sérologie amibienne a été positive dans 80,9% (n = 38). La culture a été stérile à l'analyse cytobactériologique du pus dans 37 cas (71%). Une ponction évacuatrice écho-guidée a été réalisée dans 65,4% des cas. La procédure chirurgicale a consisté à réaliser une laparotomie dans 7,7% des cas et un abord coelioscopique dans 5,8%. Les antibiotiques utilisés ont été le métronidazole par voie intraveineuse chez tous les patients, associés à la céftriaxone dans 78,8% (n=41). L'évolution clinique a été favorable dans 94,2%. La durée moyenne d'hospitalisation a été de 16,5 jours avec des extrêmes de 4 jours et 29 jours. Aucun décès n'a été constaté pendant l'hospitalisation. CONCLUSION: L'abcès amibien du foie est une pathologie peu fréquente en milieu chirurgical. L'échographie abdominale et la ponction écho-guidée ont permis de poser le diagnostic. Le traitement par abord coelioscopique minimise les inconvénients de la laparotomie.

Epidemiology, Clinical Features and Outcome of Liver Abscess: A single Reference Center Experience in Qatar.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the etiology, clinical presentation, management and outcome of liver abscess in adult patients admitted at Hamad general hospital, Qatar. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted to involve all adult patients who sequentially encountered episodes of liver abscess during the period from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2010. Blood cultures were drawn from all patients in the first 24 hours after admission. In addition, all patients had stool examinations and indirect Hemagglutination test for Entameba histolytica. Aspiration of abscess was done under CT guidance and aspirated pus was sent for gram stain and culture. RESULTS: In total, 67 patients were admitted with liver abscess; 56 patients with pyogenic liver abscess and 11 with amebic liver abscess. There were 61 (91%) males and six (9%) females and their mean age was 47.4 ± 18.5 years. Fever, abdominal pain and vomiting were the commonest presenting features. Of the 56 pyogenic liver abscess patients, four discharged against medical advice and seven refused all invasive procedures and were treated with antibiotics for six weeks. The remaining 44 (79%) patients were treated with antibiotics and one or more invasive procedures, while one patient was treated surgically. The commonest organism isolated was Klebseilla pneumonia found in 21 patients (38%). The mean duration of hospitalization was 13.6 ± 8.1 days; the mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 34.7 ± 40.6 days, and one patient died. In contrast, all amebic liver abscess patients underwent ultrasound guided aspiration and showed good response to metronidazole treatment. Their mean duration of hospitalization was 7.7 ± 4.1 days, mean duration of therapy was 11.8 ± 2.1 days, and all patients were cured. CONCLUSION: Pyogenic liver abscess was more common than amebic liver abscess with Klebseilla pneumonia being the commonest organism. With good medical measures and early drainage of liver abscess, surgical intervention was unnecessary in almost all the cases.

[Amoebic liver abscess in general surgery at the Gabriel Touré teaching hospital, Bamako, Mali]. / Abces amibien du foie en chirurgie generale du CHU gabriel toure, Bamako, Mali.

The objectives were to determine the frequency, and to describe the clinical and therapeutic aspects of amoebic liver abscess. This was a retrospective study in the general surgery department of the Gabriel Touré teaching hospital from 1 January 2004 to December 2008. Included in this study, were all patients hospitalized and treated for amoebic liver abscess. We collected 53 cases a frequency of 1.3%. This was 45 men (84.9%) and 8 women (15.1%). The sex ratio was 5.6. The average age was 39.5 years. The average consultation time was 3 weeks. The signs observed were fever 96.2% (51 cases), the hepatalgia 94.3% (50 case), hepatomegaly 90.6% (48 cases) and anorexia 88.7% (47 cases). Collections of objectified abscess in abdominal ultrasound were located in the right lobe in 79.2% (42 cases), unique in 92.5% (49 cases) and 100 mm in diameter on average. Pulmonary radiography found an elevation of the right diaphragmatic dome 66.7% (14 cases). Amoebic serology was performed in 60.4% of cases, was negative in 2 cases (6.2%). Medical treatment alone was effective in the majority of cases - 62.7% (32 cases), an ultrasound-guided paracentesis associated with medical treatment was required in 31.4% (16 cases). Surgical methods were very rarely recommended 5.9 % (3 cases). The average amount of pus was 637.6ml. Average duration of treatment was 11 days. We recorded three deaths, including one due to a sepsis on peritonitis from ruptured liver abscess and 2 cases due to HIV. CONCLUSION: The amoebic liver abscess is uncommon in our service. Negative serology does not exclude the diagnosis. Medical treatment is usually curative in the absence of complications.

Les objectifs étaient de déterminer la fréquence, de décrire les aspects cliniques et thérapeutiques de l'abcès amibien du foie.Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective réalisée dans le service de chirurgie générale du CHU Gabriel Touré du 1er Janvier 2004 au Décembre 2008. Ont été inclus dans cette étude tous les patients hospitalisés et traités pour abcès amibien du foie. Nous avons colligé 53 dossiers soit une fréquence de 1,3%. Il s'agissait de 45hommes (84,9%) et 8femmes (15,1%). Le sex-ratio a été de 5.6 et la moyenne d'âge 39.5 ans. Le délai moyen de consultation a été de 3 semaines. Les signes observés ont été la fièvre 96.2% (51cas), l'hépatalgie 94.3%(50cas), l'hépatomégalie 90.6% (48cas) et l'anorexie 88.7%(47cas). Les collections d'abcès objectivées à l'échographie abdominale étaient localisées dans le lobe droit dans 79.2%(42cas), uniques dans 92.5%(49cas) et de 100 mm de diamètre en moyenne. La radiographie pulmonaire de face a retrouvé une surélévation de la coupole diaphragmatique droite 66,7% (14cas). La sérologie amibienne effectuée dans 60.4% des cas, a été négative dans 2 cas (6.2%). Le traitement médical seul a été efficace dans la majorité des 62.7% (32cas), une ponction évacuatrice échoguidée associé au traitement médical a été nécessaire dans 31,4% (16 cas). Les méthodes chirurgicales ont été très peu recommandées 5,9%(3cas). La quantité moyenne de pus a été de 637.6ml. La durée Moyenne de traitement a été de 11 jours. Nous avons enregistré 3 décès dont l'un suite à une septicémie sur péritonite par rupture d'abcès du foie et les 2cas sur terrain VIH. CONCLUSION: L'abcès amibien du foie est peu fréquent dans notre service. La négativité de la sérologie n'exclut pas le diagnostic. Le traitement médical est habituellement curatif en l'absence de complication.

Radiological Imaging Features of Fasciola hepatica Infection - A Pictorial Review.

Fascioliasis refers to a zoonosis caused by Fasciola hepatica, a trematode infecting herbivores, but also occurs in humans who ingest the metacercaria found in fresh water plants. Infection in humans is common in developing countries and is also not uncommon in Europe. Diagnosis of this infection is difficult, as the history and symptoms are nonspecific and stool analysis for eggs is negative until the disease is in an advanced state by when the parasite has reached the biliary system. The clinical course consists of two phases; first a hepatic parenchymal phase in which immature larvae invade the liver parenchyma, followed by a ductal phase characterized by the excretion of larvae into the bile ducts. Parenchymal Phase: Ultrasonography (US) findings are nonspecific in this early phase. Computerized tomography (CT) may demonstrate subcapsular low attenuation regions in the liver. Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) can also be utilized to establish liver parenchymal involvement, and is better than CT in characterizing hemorrhagic lesions, as well as identifying more lesions relative to CT. Ductal Phase: US examination is most useful at this stage, with its ability to demonstrate the live movement of the worms within the dilated ducts. A CT demonstrates dilated central biliary ducts with periportal tracking, whereas, mild ductal dilatation is poorly appreciated under MRI. Therefore, familiarity with the multimodality imaging features of fascioliasis, in combination with an available confirmatory enzyme-linked immunoassay, would be most helpful for early diagnosis.