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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
Published on: September 22, 2019
[A case of Salmonella liver abscess]
Jeong Woo Choi1, Sung Jun Choi, Hyeock Choon Kwon
1Department of Gastroenterology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Abstract:
Liver abscess can be caused by bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infection. Amebic abscesses are more common, but pyogenic abscesses account for three quarters of hepatic abscess in developed countries. Most common pathogens of the pyogenic liver abscess are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacteroides, Enterococci, Streptococci, and Staphylococci. However, liver abscess caused by Salmonella species has rarely been reported. We experienced a case of Salmonella liver abscess which improved after antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage. The patient was 52 years-old man who had an episode of intermittent fever, chills and epigastric pain for 2 weeks. He was diagnosed as liver cirrhosis eight years ago and diabetes three years ago. Salmonella group D, non-typhi was cultured from blood and pus from the liver respectively at the same time. With percutaneous drainage and susceptible antibiotic therapy, liver abscess decreased in size with improvements in fever and abdominal pain.
Insights
Salmonella species rarely cause liver abscesses, but this case report details a successful treatment. A Salmonella non-typhi infection in the liver improved with antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Pyogenic liver abscesses are common in developed countries, typically caused by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
- While amebic abscesses are more frequent globally, bacterial pathogens dominate hepatic abscess cases in industrialized nations.
- Salmonella species are uncommon causes of liver abscesses, with few reported instances in medical literature.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old male with a history of liver cirrhosis and diabetes presented with fever, chills, and epigastric pain.
- The patient was diagnosed with a liver abscess, and Salmonella group D, non-typhi was isolated from both blood and abscess pus.
- Symptoms of fever and abdominal pain were prominent for two weeks prior to diagnosis.
Findings:
- The liver abscess showed improvement in size following percutaneous drainage and targeted antibiotic treatment.
- Blood and pus cultures confirmed Salmonella non-typhi as the causative agent for the pyogenic liver abscess.
- The patient's clinical condition, including fever and epigastric pain, resolved with the implemented treatment strategy.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering Salmonella species in the differential diagnosis of pyogenic liver abscesses, even when rare.
- Effective management involves a combination of percutaneous drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy tailored to the identified pathogen.
- Further research may elucidate the specific factors contributing to Salmonella-induced liver abscesses in patients with underlying conditions like cirrhosis and diabetes.
