A amoebic liver abscess is a type of
liver abscess caused by
amebiasis.[1] It is the involvement of liver tissue by trophozoites of the organism Entamoeba histolytica and of its abscess due to necrosis.
Presentation
Approximately 90% of patients with E histolytica are asymptomatic.[2] The two most common manifestations of E histolytica include
colitis (bloody stool with mucus, abdominal pain, and/or diarrhea), and discovery of a liver abscess on imaging.[2] Liver abscesses commonly present as right upper quadrant abdominal pain and fever, with worsening features associated with abscess rupture.[2]
Symptoms
Pain right
hypochondrium referred to the right shoulder
Although medical management using long courses of antibiotics have proven to be successful, Drainage of the abscess is the mainstay treatment.
[3]
Research
Due to the difficulty of exploring host and amebic factors involved in the pathogenesis of amebic liver abscess in humans, most studies have been conducted with animal models (e.g.,
mice,
gerbils, and
hamsters). Histopathological findings revealed that the chronic phase of amebic liver abscess in humans corresponds to lytic or liquefactive
necrosis, whereas in rodent models there is granulomatous
inflammation. However, the use of
animal models has provided important information on molecules and mechanisms of the host/parasite interaction in amebic liver abscess.[4]