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Amebic liver abscess: a 15-year experience

G Maltz1, C M Knauer

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, California.

The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|June 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Amebic liver abscess, common in immigrants, presents with fever and pain. Oral metronidazole effectively treats most cases, reducing the need for abscess aspiration.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hepatology
  • Medical Parasitology

Background:

  • Amebic liver abscess (ALA) is a growing concern in the United States, particularly in Western regions.
  • Increased immigration from endemic areas contributes to the rising incidence of ALA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical presentation, disease course, and treatment outcomes of patients with amebic liver abscess.
  • To compare current findings with previous studies to identify any changes in management.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 50 patients diagnosed with amebic liver abscess.
  • Analysis of patient demographics, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, diagnostic imaging, and treatment responses.
  • Evaluation of serologic testing (indirect hemagglutinin antibody) for diagnostic accuracy.

Main Results:

  • The typical patient profile includes immigrant Hispanic males aged 20-40 presenting with fever, right upper quadrant pain, leukocytosis, and abnormal liver enzymes.
  • Hepatic imaging studies revealed characteristic defects.
  • Indirect hemagglutinin antibody testing demonstrated high sensitivity for diagnosis.
  • Most patients achieved rapid and complete recovery with oral metronidazole therapy.

Conclusions:

  • The clinical presentation and management of amebic liver abscess have remained consistent over time.
  • Oral metronidazole is a highly effective treatment for amebic liver abscess.
  • There is a decreasing trend in the necessity of abscess aspiration for diagnosis.

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