Amebic liver abscess

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Liver cell death

Hepatic amebiasis; Extraintestinal amebiasis; Abscess - amebic liver

Patients may or may not have symptoms of intestinal infection. Symptoms that may be present include:

• Fever
• Abdominal pain, particularly in the right, upper region. Pain may be intense, continuous, or stabbing.
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise )
• Sweating
• Chills
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Jaundice
• Joint pain

These tests detect abscess in the liver:

• Abdominal ultrasound
• Abdominal CT scan or MRI
• Liver biopsy - rarely done due to high risk of complications
• Liver scan
• Liver function tests may show abnormalities
• A CBC shows elevated white blood cell count, indicating infection.
• A serology for amebiasis is positive

Review Date: 06/17/2005
Reviewed By: Rocio Hurtado, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.