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[Primary hepatic actinomycosis]
Abstract:
We present a patient complaining of abdominal pain during eighteen months, localized in left subcostal region, weight loss, asthenia and anorexia for the previous 5 months and fever one month before his admission. He presented painful hepatomegaly, leukocytosis, with an increased percentage of mature and inmature neutrophils, anemia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation, thrombocytosis, hypergammaglobublinemia and dissociated cholestasis. Complementary exams demonstrated the presence of a poorly vascularized occupying process, localized in the left hepatic lobe. Following laparotomy and biopsy-resection of the process in hepatic left lobe, staining revealed isolated, Gram + filaments and histopathological study showed multiple micro-abcesses displaying actinomyces-like characteristics. There was no evidence of any other pathological process except for previous history of dental abscesses and extractions, which could represent the primary focus for hematogenous dissemination. There was satisfactory response to erythromycin.
Insights
A patient with persistent abdominal pain was diagnosed with a liver abscess caused by actinomyces. Treatment with erythromycin led to a satisfactory response, highlighting a rare cause of hepatic infection.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial infection characterized by abscess formation.
- Hepatic actinomycosis, a form of the disease affecting the liver, is uncommon and can present with nonspecific symptoms.