BioScience Trends. 2010;4(4):201-203. (DOI: )

Case report: Huge amoebic liver abscesses in both lobes.

Ding J, Zhou L, Feng M, Yang B, Hu XQ, Wang H, Cheng XJ

We describe the case of a patient who returned to China from Africa and underwent emergency open surgical drainage with evacuation of 600 mL of anchovy sauce-like fluid from hepatic lesions. Computed tomography scans and surgical findings indicated abscesses in both hemilivers and communication between them. Bacteriological investigation of the fluid yielded negative results, but DNA assay of the pus detected 18S rRNA genes of Entamoeba histolytica. Serum anti-amoebic antibodies were detected using an indirect fluorescent-antibody test. Consequently, anti-amoebic drugs were administered and drainage was performed, leading to improvement in the patient's condition. As is evident from this case, an amoebic liver abscess in the left hepatic lobe is rare but treatable.

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