medicine

1. JOHNY WILBERT, M.Sc[N]
LECTURER,
APOLLO INSTITUTE OF HOSPITAL
MANAGEMENT AND ALLIED SCIENCE

2.  A liver abscess is a collection of pus in the liver caused
by bacteria, fungi, or parasites.

3.  There are three major forms of liver abscess, classified
by etiology:
 Pyogenic liver abscess, which is most often
polymicrobial, accounts for 80% of hepatic abscess
cases
 Amoebic liver abscess due to Entamoeba
histolytica accounts for 10% of cases.
 Fungal abscess, most often due to Candida species,
accounts for less than 10% of cases.

4.  Major bacterial causes of liver abscess include the
following
 Streptococcus species (including Enterococcus)
 Escherichia species
 Staphylococcus species
 Klebsiella species
 Anaerobes (including Bacteroides species)
 Pseudomonas species
 Proteus species

5.  Traveling to places where infection is common
 Age older than 70 years
 Medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, or a weak
immune system
 Medicines, such as steroids or chemotherapy
 Alcohol
 Poor nutrition

6.  Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, just below
the ribs
 A cough, or feeling tired and weak
 Fever and night sweats
 Nausea or vomiting
 Loss of appetite
 Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes

7.  Blood tests will show which germ is causing infection.
 An x-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI may show the liver
abscess.

8.  Medicine can help treat an infection caused by
bacteria, a fungus, or a parasite.
 Needle aspiration is a procedure to drain fluid with a
needle.
 Catheter drainage is a procedure to drain fluid
through a catheter inserted into an incision.
 Surgery may be needed if the abscess is large or
bursts.

9.  Eat a variety of healthy foods.
 Do not drink alcohol.