Association between amebic liver abscess and human immunodeficiency virus infection in Taiwanese subjects.
OBJECTIVE
Invasive amebiasis is an emerging parasitic disorder in Taiwan, especially in patients diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Thirty-three Taiwanese subjects with amebic liver abscess (ALA) were examined and a possible correlation between ALA and HIV infection was investigated.


RESULTS
Among ALA patients, the proportion of HIV-positive individuals increased during the study period. ALA was the first major clinical presentation in 54% of HIV patients with ALA. Overall, 58% (14/24) of HIV-infected patients had a CD4+ count > 200 cells/muL and 82.1% (23/28) had no concurrent opportunistic infection or other evidence of HIV infection. There was no marked difference in clinical characteristics between HIV-positive and HIV-negative ALA patients except the level of leukocytosis.


CONCLUSIONS
While the clinical characteristics described herein cannot be used to determine whether ALA patients have HIV infection, routine HIV testing is recommended in patients with ALA, even in the absence of HIV symptoms.
Hsu
Meng-Shuian
MS
Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. hsu_men_shan@yahoo.com.tw
Hsieh
Szu-Min
SM
Chen
Mao-Yuan
MY
Hung
Chien-Ching
CC
Chang
Shan-Chwen
SC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015897:Comorbidity; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008101:Liver Abscess, Amebic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole