Klebsiella, a Clever Survivor Presenting As Pyogenic Liver Abscess Years After Travel

Cureus. 2023 May 8;15(5):e38743. doi: 10.7759/cureus.38743. eCollection 2023 May.

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a known cause of pyogenic liver abscess and has an increased prevalence in Southeast Asia. We present two cases of individuals with remote travel history to southeast Asia presenting with fevers, chills, and abdominal pain secondary to pyogenic liver abscess. Neither individual had a comorbid medical condition or history of prior hepato-biliary pathology that would predispose them to bacterial translocation and abscess formation. These patients were both successfully treated with percutaneous drainage and antibiotics. We present these cases to add to the growing body of literature surrounding hyper-mucoid strains of Klebsiella pneumonia causing a pyogenic liver abscess.

Keywords: infection microbiology; klebsiella pneumoniae (kp); pyogenic liver abscesses; sepsis; travel-related infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports