TITLE:
Clinical and Pathological Comparison of Pyogenic and Amoebic Liver Abscesses
AUTHORS:
Adnan Bashir Bhatti, Farhan Ali, Siddique Akbar Satti, Tariq Mehmood Satti
KEYWORDS:
Amoebic liver Abscess, Pyogenic Liver Abscess, Entamoeba histolytica, Leukocytosis
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.4 No.3,
July
8,
2014
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.