Enterococcal liver abscess associated with moxalactam therapy. Review of literature on enterococcal superinfections in association with moxalactam therapy.

ABSTRACT

Moxalactam, a third-generation cephalosporin, has been demonstrated to have an ultrawide spectrum of antibacterial activity. One important gap in this impressive spectrum is the enterococcus. Superinfections and colonization with enterococci have been reported following moxalactam therapy. Sites involved have included the urinary tract, wounds, middle ear, and blood stream. To our knowledge, we report the first case of enterococcal liver abscess following moxalactam therapy. The abscess was localized by ultrasound examination and microbiologic diagnosis made by aspiration using a skinny needle. Without surgical drainage or therapeutic aspiration, institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy in optimum dosage resulted in complete resolution. The literature on enterococcal superinfections in association with moxalactam therapy and nonsurgical management of liver abscesses is reviewed.