Unusual multiple large abscesses of the liver: interest of the radiological features and the real-time PCR to distinguish between bacterial and amebic etiologies

Pathog Glob Health. 2014 Jan;108(1):53-7. doi: 10.1179/2047773213Y.0000000121. Epub 2013 Dec 19.

Abstract

We report a rare case of amebiasis generating 19 large liver abscesses. Such a quantity of abscesses is rare, especially when occurring in a young casual traveler without any immunodeficiency disorders. A possible co-infection was excluded. By contrast, the amebic etiology was confirmed by means of serology and real-time PCR.

Keywords: Amebiasis,; Computed tomography,; Entamoeba histolytica,; Multiple abscesses,; PCR.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / isolation & purification
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Asthenia / parasitology
  • Diarrhea / parasitology
  • Dysentery, Amebic / diagnosis*
  • Dysentery, Amebic / drug therapy
  • Entamoeba histolytica / genetics
  • Entamoeba histolytica / immunology
  • Entamoeba histolytica / isolation & purification*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / parasitology
  • Fever / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Liver Abscess, Amebic / complications
  • Liver Abscess, Amebic / diagnosis*
  • Liver Abscess, Amebic / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Oxyquinoline / analogs & derivatives
  • Oxyquinoline / therapeutic use
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Travel
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Metronidazole
  • Oxyquinoline
  • 5-methyl-8-hydroxyquinoline
  • tilbroquinol