Tuberculous abscess of the liver in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

We present two human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients; each was diagnosed with tuberculous abscess of the liver and treated with good clinical response. A review of the literature indicates there is no typical clinical presentation. A high index of suspicion plus special stains of tissue material are required to make the diagnosis in appropriate patients, especially because this is a treatable condition even in patients with AIDS.