Korean J Pediatr.  2013 Sep;56(9):407-410. 10.3345/kjp.2013.56.9.407.

Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess in an immunocompetent child

• Kwon JM
• Jung HL
• Shim JW
• Kim DS
• Shim JY
• Park MS

• KMID: 1493123
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2013.56.9.407

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as a leading pathogen that causes pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) in Korea. K. pneumoniae liver abscess (KLA) is potentially life threatening, and the diagnosis is difficult. In developed countries, PLA is rarely observed in children and is frequently associated with disorders of granulocyte function and previous abdominal infection. We observed a case of KLA in a healthy 12-year-old boy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of KLA in an immunocompetent child without an underlying disease in Korea. The patient was treated with percutaneous catheter drainage and antibiotics. The catheter was placed in the intrahepatic abscess for 3 weeks and parenteral antibiotics (ceftriaxone and amikacin) were administered for 4 weeks, followed by oral antibiotics (cefixime) for 2 weeks. We reported this case to raise awareness of KLA in immunocompetent children among physicians, and to review the diagnosis, risk factors, potential complications, and appropriate treatment of KLA.

Keyword

Klebsiella pneumoniae; Liver Abscess; Immunity; Child

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Catheters
Child
Developed Countries
Drainage
Granulocytes
Humans
Klebsiella
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Korea
Liver
Liver Abscess
Liver Abscess, Pyogenic
Pneumonia
Risk Factors
Anti-Bacterial Agents