Hepatic abscess associated with Salmonella serotype B in a chronic alcoholic patient.
BACKGROUND
Hepatic abscess secondary to Salmonella is extremely rare in the United States and other Western countries.


METHODS
A 43-year-old Caucasian man, with a history of chronic alcohol abuse, was admitted to the hospital for intermittent abdominal pain, fever and diarrhea. Clinical, radiological and laboratory results were analyzed. Medical literature in PubMed pertaining to similar cases was reviewed.


RESULTS
Stool culture was positive for Salmonella serotype B and a CT scan of the abdomen with contrast was consistent with a solitary hepatic abscess. Appropriate intravenous antibiotics followed by oral maintenance therapy for six weeks resulted in a complete clinical recovery and radiographic resolution.


CONCLUSIONS
The cause of Salmonella hepatic abscess in our patient was most likely associated with decreased mucosal resistance to the bacteria, seeding of infection via transient portal bacteremia and loss of host immunity. Our case highlights the fact that appropriate antibiotic alone is sufficient in the management of a solitary hepatic abscess less than 3-5 cm.
Department of Internal Medicine, St Elizabeth Health Center, 1044 Belmont Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44501, USA. sstulachan@gmail.com
Sidhartha S
SS
Tulachan
Charles E
CE
Wilkins
Anthony F
AF
Cutrona
David
D
Gemmel
Thomas P
TP
Marnejon
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin