Hepatic actinomycosis: case report and review of the literature in Japan

J Gastroenterol. 1997 Oct;32(5):672-6. doi: 10.1007/BF02934120.

Abstract

Hepatic actinomycosis is rare. We report an 86-year-old Japanese man with a 3-day history of high fever and anorexia who had an actinomycotic liver abscess complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A definitive diagnosis was made when an Actinomyces species was cultured from aspirated pus. The clinical course was satisfactory. Treatment included prompt percutaneous drainage coupled with long-term intravenous administration of high-dose minocycline and piperacillin, combined with therapy for DIC. We reviewed 11 cases in Japan of Actinomyces involving the liver, including the case reported here. In most patients, there were no predisposing factors. Common symptoms and laboratory findings included fever, abdominal pain, leukocytosis, and elevated C-reactive protein. In 6 of the 11 patients a partial hepatectomy was performed because hepatic tumor was suspected. Five patients presented with a liver abscess. Hepatic actinomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnoses of pyogenic liver abscess and space-occupying lesions of the liver.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actinomyces / isolation & purification
  • Actinomycosis / diagnosis
  • Actinomycosis / drug therapy
  • Actinomycosis / etiology*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / drug therapy
  • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / microbiology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / administration & dosage
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Liver Abscess / diagnosis
  • Liver Abscess / drug therapy
  • Liver Abscess / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minocycline / administration & dosage
  • Minocycline / therapeutic use
  • Penicillins / administration & dosage
  • Penicillins / therapeutic use
  • Piperacillin / administration & dosage
  • Piperacillin / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Penicillins
  • Minocycline
  • Piperacillin