Korean J Gastroenterol.  2002 May;39(5):386-389.

A Case of Liver Abscess Due to Fusobacterium nucleatum

• Jung SY
• Jung HC
• Lee CH
• Kim NI
• Kim SJ
• Lee G
• Suh JI
• Lee CW
• Ha GY
• Kim HS
• Yang CH

Abstract

Fusobacterium is a very rare cause of liver abscess. Fusobacteria are anaerobic gram-negative bacilli that are part of normal flora of the oral cavity, the urogenital tract, and the gastrointestinal tract. However, Fusobacterium bacteremia is uncommon, accounting for less than 1% of all bacteremias in adults. Liver abscess due to Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) was reported in patients with AIDS or idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia. We experienced a 54-year-old woman who presented with intermittent fever and generalized weakness for 2 months. Abdominal CT scan revealed an 8X10 cm mass in the right hepatic lobe with central low density. Ultrasound-guided aspiration of liver abscess was performed. About 30 mL of greenish-yellow foul-odored pus was aspirated. F. nucleatum was cultured from the aspirated pus. Intravenous administration of antibiotics for 4 weeks and repeated aspiration improved symptoms and decreased size of liver abscess. We report a case of liver abscess due to F. nucleatum in an immunocompetent woman.

Keyword

Liver abscess; Fusobacterium nucleatum

MeSH Terms

Administration, Intravenous
Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacteremia
Female
Fever
Fusobacteria
Fusobacterium nucleatum*
Fusobacterium*
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Liver Abscess*
Liver*
Middle Aged
Mouth
Suppuration
T-Lymphocytopenia, Idiopathic CD4-Positive
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Anti-Bacterial Agents