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Pyogenic liver abscess - Overview

Alternative Names

Liver abscess; Bacterial liver abscess

Definition of Pyogenic liver abscess:

Pyogenic liver abscess is a pus-filled area in the liver.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

There are many potential causes of liver abscesses, including:

Abdominal infection such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or a perforated bowel
Infection in the blood
Infection of the bile draining tubes
Recent endoscopy of the bile draining tubes
Trauma that damages the liver

The most common bacteria that cause liver abscesses are:

Bacteroides
Enterococcus
Escherichia coli
Klebsiella
Staphylococcus
Streptococcus

In most cases, more than one type of bacteria is found.

Digestive system

Pyogenic abscess

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 9/15/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Neuschwander-Tetri BA. Bacterial, parasitic, fungal and granulomatous liver diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 155.

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