Pyogenic liver abscesses due to Escherichia coli are still related to worse outcomes

BACKGROUND

In western countries, there has been a gradual shift from Escherichia coli to Klebsiella pneumoniae as an emerging pathogen isolated from pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA).

AIMS

To compare outcomes between patients with Escherichia coli liver abscesses and non-Escherichia coli liver abscesses in terms of mortality.

METHODS

One hundred nine-three consecutive hospital admissions of Pyogenic liver abscesses were analyzed, mean age 66.9 years old (± 13.6), 112 men (58%). The sample was divided into two groups: E. coli liver abscesses and non-E. coli liver abscesses. The etiologic, clinical, and microbiologic characteristics; therapeutic options; and outcomes, in terms of morbidity and mortality, between E. coli and non-E. coli liver abscesses were compared. In-hospital mortality, as outcome variable, was analyzed in a multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven episodes of PLA (29.5%) corresponded to E. coli infections, and 136 (70.5%) to non-E. coli infections. Patients with E. coli PLA were more likely to have jaundice, polymicrobial isolation (57.1% vs 21.6%, p < 0.001), biliary origin (71.9% vs 39%, p < 0.001), and septic shock (38.6% vs 12.5%, p < 0.001). Antibiotic therapy alone, without percutaneous drainage, was less common in the E. coli PLA group (5.3% vs 18.4%, p = 0.018). These patients also showed a higher mortality (28.1% vs 11%, p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, E. coli isolation PLA adjusted remained as an independent factor of mortality (OR 2.6, 95%CI 1.04-6.56, p = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

E. coli liver abscess may preclude a worse outcome than other microbiological agents, including the development of septic shock and mortality. Aggressive management must be considered.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes of pyogenic liver abscess patients < 65 years of age versus ≥ 65 years of age

Background

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in the elderly is insufficiently elucidated. A few studies attempted to investigate the role of age in PLA have yielded controversial results. The purpose of this study was to explore the possible differences in the comorbidity, microbiological characteristics and clinical course between elderly and young PLA patients.

Methods

The clinical data of 332 adult PLA patients who received treatment at our hospital from January 2010 to December 2016 were collected. The demographic data, etiologies, comorbidities, clinical features, laboratory results, imaging findings, microbiological characteristics, choices of treatment and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Eighty-two (24.7%) patients were older than 65 years. Comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cholelithiasis were more frequently found in older patients. Elderly PLA patients were more likely to present with atypical symptoms and signs on admission. The laboratory abnormalities and imaging findings were similar between the two groups. Klebsiella pneumonia was the most common pathogen on pus culture in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in choices of treatment, PLA-related complications and length of in-hospital stay between the two groups. And there was no in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions

The clinical characteristics were similar in young and elderly PLA patients. However, elderly PLA patients were more likely to have underlying diseases and tended to have atypical presentations. Physicians need to be vigilant when encounter possible elderly patients with PLA. However, older PLA patients had comparable outcomes as their younger counterparts. With effective treatment, both elderly and young PLA patients can be cured.

The geriatric nutritional risk index independently predicts adverse outcomes in patients with pyogenic liver abscess

Background

Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple and useful nutritional marker for predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing a variety of conditions. This study explored the relationship between GNRI and adverse outcomes of Pyogenic Liver Abscess (PLA) patients and assessed GNRI predictive value.

Methods

This was one retrospective study involving 240 PLA patients. According to one GNRI cutoff value of 90, the patients were divided into two groups. Besides, demographic, laboratory, adverse outcomes were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed.

Results

Compared with high GNRI patients, those with low GNRI had a higher risk of mortality (13.4% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.002), metastatic infection (17.7% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.050), acute hepatic failure (6.8% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.036), acute respiratory failure (7.4% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.024), upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding (11.9% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.006) and empyema (20.1% vs. 10.2%, P = 0.047). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated GNRI (< 90) as one independent factor in death prediction (odds ratio (OR) = 5.36, 95% of confidence interval (CI) = 1.17–24.48), and adverse outcomes (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.05–3.98). GNRI had the largest area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve than albumin, BMI, platelet, prothrombin time and hemoglobin in death prediction (area under ROC curves (AUC) = 0.771, cutoff value = 79.45, P < 0.01) and all adverse outcomes (AUC = 0.656, cutoff value = 87.43, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Lower levels of GNRI are an independent risk factor for poor PLA prognosis. Physicians should consider GNRI for PLA outcomes and consider more careful resuscitation and timely and appropriate treatment, especially in those with GNRI< 87.43.

A comparison of pyogenic liver abscess in patients with or without diabetes: a retrospective study of 246 cases

Background

Pyogenic liver abscess(PLA) has become common in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), but it is unclear whether differences exist between patients with and without DM. A retrospective study was performed to identify these differences, summarize the clinical experience, and improve the diagnosis and treatment of PLA.

Methods

The patients were enrolled in a teaching hospital from January 2012 to December 2016. The patients were separated into two groups based on comorbidity with diabetes mellitus (DM). The DM group was further separated into two subgroups according to the HbA1C concentration to investigate whether glycaemic control affected the clinical characteristics of PLA patients with DM. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and t-tests were used to analyse and evaluate differences between the two groups.

Results

Two hundred and forty-six PLA patients were identified and 90 (36.6%) had comorbid DM. Patients with DM were older, had higher levels of alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transferase, hypertension, a loss of body weight, a single abscess, and combined antibiotic therapy with the use of carbapenems and Klebsiella pneumoniae in their blood cultures but a less frequent history of abdominal surgery and Escherichia coli in their pus cultures. When DM patients were compared to non-DM patients, each of these differences was significant (P < 0.05). Diabetic PLA patients with poor glycaemic control had a significantly higher proportion of fever and both lobes abscess(P < 0.05).

Conclusion

PLA patients with diabetes are older, have more serious complications, a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, an increased use of combined antibiotic therapy with carbapenem, and K. pneumoniae as the predominant pathogen, but these patients had fewer abdominal surgeries and fewer E. coli infections. In addition, poorly controlled glycaemia in diabetic PLA patients is associated with high incidence of fever and both lobes abscess.

Atherosclerosis of the right posterior hepatic artery in a patient with hilar cholangiocarcinoma undergoing left trisectionectomy: a case report of a therapeutic pitfall

BACKGROUND

We experienced a rare case of benign arterial stricture of the right posterior hepatic artery (RPHA) caused by atherosclerosis in a patient with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 75-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the detailed investigation of serum hepatobiliary enzyme elevation. The patient had a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and an operative history of coronary artery bypass grafting 10 years before. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography found strictures of the right and left hepatic ducts with involvement of right anterior and posterior bile ducts. Adenocarcinoma was evident by brush cytology. We diagnosed these findings as hilar cholangiocarcinoma and planned left trisectionectomy including bile duct reconstruction. Although the tumor and RPHA were not adjacent, preoperative multidetector computed tomography revealed a stricture of the RPHA that was 5.6 mm in length. We suspected that atherosclerosis caused the stricture, and we performed digital subtraction angiography and intravascular ultrasonography that showed stricture of the RPHA accompanied by thick plaques in the arterial wall. We placed a bare-metal stent in the RPHA and then performed left trisectionectomy. Since this patient developed bile leakage postoperatively, percutaneous drainage was performed. The bile leakage was successfully controlled, and the patient was discharged 3 months after surgery. Unfortunately, 4 months after hepatectomy, he was re-hospitalized with multiple pyogenic liver abscesses. We performed intensive multimodal treatment for the liver abscesses and stabilized the disease; however, we eventually lost this patient due to liver failure 14 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous literature on atherosclerosis of the RPHA, which was evident preoperatively in our case. Because arterial complications may lead to critical biliary complications in patients who undergo left trisectionectomy, we first performed prophylactic arterial stent placement. We speculate that existing chronic microscopic injury of the peribiliary plexus might have caused the liver abscesses. We successfully diagnosed atherosclerosis of the RPHA preoperatively. However, further investigation of patients is warranted to determine if left trisectionectomy is contraindicated in these patients.

Hepatic Abscess Secondary to Stomach Perforation by a Fish Bone: a Rare Cause of Hepatic Abscess

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies are commonly encountered in clinical practice. However, although perforation of the gastrointestinal tract by a foreign body is not unusual, the formation of a hepatic abscess as a result of the migration of a foreign body is extremely rare. Patients usually present with atypical symptoms, and the treatment of such pyogenic liver abscesses presents a challenge. Here we report a case of hepatic abscess secondary to stomach perforation by a fish bone.

Bilateral osteomyelitis and liver abscess caused by hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae- a rare clinical manifestation (case report)

Background

Hypervirulent strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae are a recognized cause of a distinct invasive syndrome that results in pyogenic liver abscesses and metastatic complications, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Reports of hypervirulent K.pneumoniae in Europe, the Americas and Australia indicate worldwide spread. We present a case of multi-focal osteomyelitis, a rarely described complication of hypervirulent K.pneumoniae in the medical literature. The prevalence of this condition in countries outside Asia may be expected to rise with increasing travel.

Case presentation

A 20-year-old Chinese man residing in Australia for 2 years presented with a 2-week history of gradually worsening leg pain preceded by 2 weeks of constitutional symptoms. Imaging with computerized axial tomography (CT) and other modalities revealed bilateral tibial lesions described as lattice-like linear lucencies involving the cortices with scalloping of the outer involved cortex. Cultures of tissue from a left tibial bone biopsy were positive cultures for K.pneumoniae. Whole-genome sequencing identified the isolate as K1 serotype ST23, a well-recognized hyper virulent strain capable of causing invasive disease. An abdominal CT revealed a 27x22mm liver abscess. The patient had no other metastatic manifestations of the disease, and responded to 6 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone followed by 3 months of oral Ciprofloxacin.

Conclusions

Increased awareness of the manifestations and subsequent management of hyper virulent strains of K.pneumoniae by clinicians is important to assist early recognition and help minimize serious sequelae. Cases with overseas links, such as previous residence in the Asia Pacific area, are at higher risk for infection with the hyper virulent strain. This case highlights the need for clinicians to be able to recognize this important disease, especially in patients with the right epidemiological links, and to investigate and treat appropriately to prevent severe metastatic complications.

Pyogenic liver abscess after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

An infected material in the gastrosplenic area after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) due to hematoma or staple line leak has the potential to spread of the bacterial content to the liver which can result in pyogenic liver abscess. Presently described is a thirty-seven-year-old female patient with unilocular pyogenic liver abscess two weeks after LSG. The abscess resolved by Ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage plus intravenous antibiotic treatment. Review of the literature regarding 3 other cases with liver abscess after LSG is also presented.

Liver Abscess due to Streptococcus constellatus in an Immunocompetent Adult: A Less Known Entity

BACKGROUND

Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) are an uncommon, but potentially life threatening infection. We report a case of PLA due to Streptococcus constellatus, a member of the Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG) bacteria, commonly found as commensals of the oropharyngeal, gastrointestinal and genitourinary flora.

CASE

The patient, a 42-year-old man with no premorbidities, non-smoker and non-alcoholic, presented to our hospital with high-grade fever associated with chills and rigors and right upper quadrant pain of one month duration. Culture of the ultrasound-guided liver aspirate yielded a pure growth of S. constellatus subspecies constellatus identified by conventional biochemical tests. In a standard antimicrobial disk-diffusion test, the isolate was susceptible to cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, vancomcyin, levofloxacin, clindamycin and linezolid. Treatment with parenteral ceftriaxone alongwith appropriate surgical management led to resolution of the abscess with no recurrence of infection at three months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathogenic potential of SAG has generally been disregarded because of the commensal nature of these microorganisms; however, streptococci belonging to this group have been increasingly reported as relevant pathogens in abscesses and blood cultures. An underlying condition, such as diabetes, cirrhosis or cancer or some medical manipulation, such as dental extraction, acupuncture, or hemorrhoidectomy is associated with the majority of patients with SAG abscess. However, the present case highlights the need to include S. constellatus and other members of the SAG while investigating for etiology of PLA, even in immunocompetent adults.

Clostridium paraputrificum septicemia and liver abscess

We report the first case of a healthy 23-year-old female who underwent an interventional radiology-guided embolization of a hepatic adenoma, which resulted in a gas forming hepatic liver abscess and septicemia by Clostridium paraputrificum. A retrospective review of Clostridial liver abscesses was performed using a PubMed literature search, and we found 57 clostridial hepatic abscess cases. The two most commonly reported clostridial species are C. perfringens and C. septicum (64.9% and 17.5% respectively). C. perfringens cases carried a mortality of 67.6% with median survival of 11 h, and 70.2% of the C. perfringens cases experienced hemolysis. All C. septicum cases were found to have underlying liver malignancy at the time of the presentation with a mortality of only 30%. The remaining cases were caused by various Clostridium species, and this cohort’s clinical course was significantly milder when compared to the above C. perfringens and C. septicum cohorts.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a feasible prognostic marker for pyogenic liver abscess in the emergency department

PURPOSE

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an effective predictor of mortality in patients with for various conditions. To date, there are no previous studies on NLR as a prognostic marker for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA), especially on admission to the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2015, 102 patients diagnosed with PLA in the ED were included. Clinico-radiological and laboratory results, including NLR, were evaluated as variables. NLR was calculated as absolute neutrophil count/absolute lymphocyte count. To evaluate the prognosis of PLA, data on hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and development of septic shock were obtained. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Among 102 patients, 10 (9.8%) died, 14 (13.7%) were admitted to the ICU, and 15 (14.7%) developed septic shock during hospitalization. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed NLR as an independent factor in predicting death [odds ratio (OR), 1.4; p = 0.020], ICU admission (OR, 1.4; p = 0.021), and development of septic shock (OR, 1.6; p = 0.041). NLR showed an excellent predictive performance for death (areas under the ROC curves [AUC], 0.941; cut-off value, 19.7; p < 0.001), ICU admission (AUC, 0.946; cut-off value, 16.9; p < 0.001), and development of septic shock (AUC, 0.927; cut-off value, 16.9; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

NLR was positively associated with poor prognosis of PLA; elevated NLR could predictor of high risk of death, ICU admission, and development of septic shock. Emergency physicians should consider NLR for the prognosis of PLA and early aggressive treatment, especially in patients with NLR > 16.9.

Increased risk of pyogenic liver abscess in patients with alcohol intoxication: A population-based retrospective cohort study

We designed a population-based retrospective cohort study to investigate the association between the event of alcohol intoxication and the risk of pyogenic liver abscess. The present study enrolled 245,076 patients with a history of alcohol intoxication from 2000 to 2010 and matched each of them with four comparison patients, with similar mean age and sex ratios. We determined the cumulative incidences and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of liver abscess. A significant association was observed between alcohol intoxication and liver abscess. The incidence density rate of liver abscess was 3.47-fold greater in the alcohol intoxication (AI) cohort than in the non-AI cohort (12.2 vs. 3.43 per 10,000 person-years), with an adjusted HR (aHR) of 2.64 (95% CI = 2.26 to 3.08). This population-based study positively associated the event of alcohol intoxication with increased risk of liver abscess. Our findings warrant further large-scale and in-depth investigations in this area.

Fusobacterium nucleatum detected simultaneously in a pyogenic liver abscess and advanced sigmoid colon cancer

Fusobacterium nucleatum is an invasive, adherent, and pro-inflammatory anaerobic bacterium involved in various infections and colorectal cancer. We report a case with pyogenic liver abscess, diagnosed with advanced sigmoid colon cancer, in whom F. nucleatum was simultaneously detected. In this patient, F. nucleatum was systematically analyzed using the molecular biological techniques of metagenome analysis, conventional PCR, and microbial fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Are our endoscopy patients at risk for pyogenic liver abscess?

This is an editorial comment on a recent publication reporting an increased rate of pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) after upper gastrointestinal panendoscopy. Its aim is to critically highlight the findings, limitations and potential clinical implications of this study. Issues of the mucosal barrier, the microbial flora, administration of antibiotics and underlying diseases are discussed. The probability of PLAs after endoscopies is not exactly known and the length of the “incubation period” remains unclear, but a possible causality should already suffice to make us think how to avoid them. Especially in patients with risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal disease, liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infection, and malignancies, the potential risk for PLAs should be considered. Unnecessary insufflation during endoscopy (causing mucosal stretching and microscopic tears) as well as mucosal damage (by direct abrasion with the scope) should be avoided in order to limit the invasiveness of the procedure as much as possible. And, in everyday routine, it should be kept in mind that in patients after endoscopy, especially in those with a breach of the mucosal barrier and significant comorbidities, PLAs can potentially develop and require timely administration of antibiotics as well as further diagnostic and therapeutic steps.

The prevalence of rectal carriage of Klebsiella pneumoniae amongst diabetic patients and their clinical relevance in Taiwan: A five-year prospective study

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) and bacteremia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common complication among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of rectal carriage and serotype distribution of K. pneumoniae amongst DM patients and their clinical relevance.

METHODS

We prospectively collected rectal swabs for K. pneumoniae culture in asymptomatic DM patients from March 2008 to June 2009. Seven capsular serotypes that were commonly associated with PLA were determined by capsular polysaccharide synthesis (cps) genotyping. Microbiologically confirmed bacterial infections were evaluated 1 and 5 years after initial enrolment of the patients.

RESULTS

A total of 100 male and 62 female patients (mean age, 56.6 years) were enrolled. Of these, 77 (47.5%) had rectal K. pneumoniae colonization. Colonizers were older than non-colonizers (p = 0.03). Sex, fasting blood glucose, and initial HbA1C were not statistically different (p = 0.26, 0.18, and 0.31, respectively). Among the 65 available isolates, 22 (33.8%) belonged to the seven main serotypes. During the 5-year's follow-up, 21 patients developed microbiologically documented bacterial infections but none of them developed PLA and bacteremia. Risk factors for bacterial infection within 5 years included initial glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) > 10% or first-year average HbA1C > 10%.

CONCLUSION

Although nearly half of asymptomatic DM patients had rectal carriage of K. pneumoniae and one-third of them colonized by isolates belonging to the seven serotypes related to PLA, none of them subsequently developed PLA and colonized patients did not have higher risk of microbiologically confirmed bacterial infections.

The role of Enterococcus spp. and multidrug-resistant bacteria causing pyogenic liver abscesses

Background

Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA) remain a significant clinical problem. Unfortunately, little is known about current bacterial susceptibility profiles and the incidence of multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) causing PLA in Western countries. Yet, this crucial information is pivotal to guide empirical antibiotic therapy. Aim of this study was to provide detailed characteristics of PLA with a special focus on underlying bacterial pathogens and their susceptibility to antibiotics.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with PLA from 2009 to 2015 in a large tertiary reference center in Germany was performed in order to characterize PLA and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of causative bacterial species.

Results

Overall, 86 patients were included. The most common causes of PLA were bile duct stenosis/obstruction (31.4%) and leakage of biliary anastomosis (15.1%). Frequent predisposing diseases were malignancies (34.9%), diabetes (24.4%) and the presence of liver cirrhosis (16.3%). Of note, Enterococcus spp. were the most frequently cultured bacterial isolates (28.9%), and in 1/3 of cases vancomycin resistance was observed. In addition, a relevant frequency of gram-negative MDROs was identified. In particular, an alarming 10% and 20% of gram-negative bacteria were resistant to carbapenems and tigecycline, respectively. Of note, MDRO status did not predict ICU stay or survival in multivariate regression analysis. The mortality rate in our series was 16.3%.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates an as yet underreported role of Enterococcus spp., often associated with vancomycin resistance, as well as of gram-negative MDROs causing PLA.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2543-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Predictors of septic shock in initially stable patients with pyogenic liver abscess

OBJECTIVES

The incidence of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA), a life-threatening condition, is increasing worldwide. This study was designed to evaluate clinical features and outcomes in initially stable patients with PLA and to determine the predictors of septic shock.

METHODS

The medical records of all adult patients who were hemodynamically stable and diagnosed with PLA in the emergency department from January 2010 to December 2014, inclusive, were reviewed. The primary outcome was septic shock.

RESULTS

A review of medical records identified 453 patients (66.7% male), of mean age 61.4 years, diagnosed with PLA. Of these patients, 73 (16.1%) had septic shock and 10 (2.2%) died in-hospital. Of the 73 patients with septic shock, nine (12.3%) died in-hospital. The most common symptom was fever (79.5%), and the most common infectious agent was Klebsiella pneumoniae. Septic shock was significantly associated with age ≥60 years [odds ratio (OR): 2.99, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38-6.48], malignancy (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.08-4.09), systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg (OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.43-9.21), respiratory rate ≥24/min (OR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.20-8.28) and lactate concentration ≥2 mmol/L (OR: 4.92, 95% CI: 2.51-9.64). Septic shock also tended to be associated with procalcitonin concentration, but this was not statistically significant (OR: 3.42, 95% CI: 0.96-12.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Septic shock was frequent in initially stable patients with PLA and was associated with older age, malignancy, low blood pressure, tachypnea and elevated lactate concentration.

Recent upper gastrointestinal panendoscopy increases the risk of pyogenic liver abscess

AIM

To investigate the association between a recent gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and the subsequent risk of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA).

METHODS

We designed a nested case control study. Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 2135 patients with a first diagnosis of PLA were identified from 1998 to 2011. Another 10675 patients without PLA matched by age and sex were selected as reference controls. We identified and compared the possible risk factors for PLA and GI endoscopies performed before the index date (when PLA was diagnosed) between the two cohorts. Multivariate analysis was conducted to examine the risk of PLA within the 90 d after the GI endoscopies.

RESULTS

Patients with a history of diabetes [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.92, 95%CI: 1.78-13.61], end-stage renal disease (aOR = 3.98, 95%CI: 1.45-10.91), biliary tract infection (aOR = 2.68, 95%CI: 2.11-3.40), liver cirrhosis (aOR = 2.19, 95%CI: 1.39-3.46), GI malignancies (aOR = 5.68, 95%CI: 4.23-7.64), appendicitis (aOR = 3.16, 95%CI: 2.27-4.41), diverticulitis (aOR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.01-2.64), and recent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (aOR = 27.04, 95%CI: 11.65-62.72) were significantly associated with an increased risk of PLA. After adjusting for the above risk factors and the frequency of outpatient department visits and abdominal ultrasounds during 90 d before the index date, an upper GI panendoscopy (aOR = 2.75, 95%CI: 2.05-3.69) but not a lower GI endoscopy (aOR = 1.07, 95%CI: 0.62-1.86) was significantly associated with PLA.

CONCLUSION

An upper GI panendoscopy performed before 90 d may increase the risk of PLA.

Correlation between proton pump inhibitors and risk of pyogenic liver abscess

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Little is known about the relationship between proton pump inhibitors use and pyogenic liver abscess. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between proton pump inhibitors use and pyogenic liver abscess in Taiwan.

METHODS

This was a population-based case-control study using the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program since 2000 to 2011. Subjects aged 20 to 84 who experienced their first episode of pyogenic liver abscess were enrolled as the case group (n = 1372). Randomly selected subjects aged 20 to 84 without pyogenic liver abscess were enrolled as the control group (n = 1372). Current use, early use, and late use of proton pump inhibitors was defined as subjects whose last one tablet for proton pump inhibitors was noted ≤30 days, between 31 to 90 days and ≥91 days before the date of admission for pyogenic liver abscess. Subjects who never received a prescription for proton pump inhibitors were defined as nonusers of proton pump inhibitors. A multivariable unconditional logistic regression model was used to measure the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval to evaluate the correlation between proton pump inhibitors use and pyogenic liver abscess.

RESULTS

After adjusting for confounders, the adjusted odds ratio of pyogenic liver abscess was 7.59 for subjects with current use of proton pump inhibitors (95% confidence interval 5.05, 11.4), when compared with nonusers.

CONCLUSIONS

Current use of proton pump inhibitors is associated with a greater risk of pyogenic liver abscess.

Predictors of Mortality in Korean Patients with Pyogenic Liver Abscess: A Single Center, Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The mortality rate of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) has decreased dramatically, but it remains a potentially life threatening disease. Most cases are cryptogenic or occur in elderly men with underlying biliary tract disease. Although several studies have addressed the characteristics and etiology of PLA, research on factors affecting PLA-associated mortality is lacking. This study intended to identify the clinical and radiological features, pathogens, complications, and predictors of mortality in Korean PLA patients.

METHODS

The medical records of 231 PLA patients diagnosed at Yeungnam University Medical Center between January 2010 and January 2014 were analyzed. A diagnosis of PLA was made based on imaging studies and blood and abscess cultures. The clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings of patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 64.0±12.9 years and the male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant organism isolated from hepatic abscesses (69.9%) and blood (74.2%). The most common complication was pleural effusion (35.8%) and most common co-infection was cholangitis (8.2%). The overa ll mortality rate of PLA was 6.9% (16/231), and was significantly higher in patients with a history of liver abscess (OR 5.970, 95% CI 1.207-29.529; p=0.028), bilirubinemia (>2 mg/dL) (OR 9.541, 95% CI 2.382-38.216; p=0.001), thrombocytopenia (< 140×10(3)/L) (OR 4.396, 95% CI 1.130-17.106; p=0.033), or anemia (< 12 g/dL) (OR 13.277, 95% CI 1.476-119.423; p=0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

The prognosis of PLA appears to be dependent on underlying pathologies and severity of condition. More aggressive treatment should be considered if a poor prognosis is expected.

Herpes zoster correlates with pyogenic liver abscesses in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the paper was to explore the relationship between herpes zoster and pyogenic liver abscesses in Taiwan.

METHODS

This was a nationwide cohort study. Using the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program, there were 33049 subjects aged 20-84 years who were newly diagnosed with herpes zoster from 1998 to 2010 that were selected for our study, and they were our herpes zoster group. 131707 randomly selected subjects without herpes zoster were our non-herpes zoster group. Both groups were matched by sex, age, other comorbidities, and the index year of their herpes zoster diagnosis. The incidence of pyogenic liver abscesses at the end of 2011 was then estimated. The multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval for pyogenic liver abscesses associated with herpes zoster and other comorbidities.

RESULTS

The overall incidence rate was 1.38-fold higher in the herpes zoster group than in the non-herpes zoster group (4.47 vs. 3.25 per 10000 person-years, 95% confidence interval 1.32, 1.44). After controlling for potential confounding factors, the adjusted hazard ratio of pyogenic liver abscesses was 1.34 in the herpes zoster group (95% confidence interval 1.05, 1.72) when compared with the non-herpes zoster group. Sex (in this case male), age, presence of biliary stones, chronic kidney diseases, chronic liver diseases, cancers, and diabetes mellitus were also significantly associated with pyogenic liver abscesses.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with herpes zoster are associated with an increased hazard of developing pyogenic liver abscesses.

Clostridium difficile: A rare cause of pyogenic liver abscess

Extra-intestinal infections due to Clostridium difficile have been reported rarely. Herein we report a case of pyogenic liver abscess from toxigenic C. difficile in an 80-year-old non-hospitalized woman with diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. The patient was admitted to the emergency department with fever and abdominal pain. There was no history of diarrhea or use of antibiotics. Laboratory parameters revealed signs of inflammation and elevated AST and ALT levels. Abdominal ultrasound and computer tomography showed multiple focal lesions in the bilateral liver lobes and hydropic gallbladder with stones. The patient underwent cholecystectomy and the liver abscesses were drained. Toxigenic C. difficile strains were isolated from the drained pus and also from the stool sample. According to repetitive-element PCR (rep-PCR) analyses both organisms were the same. The organisms were susceptible to antibiotics. Despite proper antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage, the patient succumbed to her illness.

Abdominal wall abscess secondary to spontaneous rupture of pyogenic liver abscess

INTRODUCTION

Pyogenic liver abscess is a rare cause of hospitalization, related to a mortality rate ranging between 15% and 19%. Treatment of choice is represented by image-guided percutaneous drainage in combination with antibiotic therapy but, in some selected cases, surgical treatment is necessary. In extremely rare cases, spontaneous rupture of liver abscess may occur, free in the peritoneal cavity or in neighboring organs, an event which is generally considered a surgical emergency.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 95-years-old woman was hospitalized with fever, upper abdominal pain, mild dyspepsia and massive swelling of the anterior abdominal wall. Computed tomography revealed an oval mass located in the abdominal wall of 12cm×14cm×7cm, in continuity with an abscess of the left hepatic lobe. Because Proteus mirabilis was detected in both the liver abscess and the abdominal wall abscess, the patient was diagnosed with a ruptured pyogenic liver abscess. After spontaneous drainage to the exterior of the hepato-parietal abscess, she was successfully treated with antibiotics alone.

CONCLUSION

Pyogenic liver abscess is a serious and life-threatening illness. Abscess rupture might occur. Many authors consider this complication a surgical emergency, but the site of abscess rupture changes the clinical history of the disease: in case of free rupture into the peritoneum, emergency surgery is mandatory, while a rupture localized in neighboring tissues or organs can be successfully treated by a combination of systemic antibiotics and fine needle aspiration and/or percutaneous drainage of the abscess.