Liver abscess caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae

Abstract

SummaryA case of liver abscess caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae in an otherwise healthy adult is described which responded to medical management without surgery. This we believe to be the first reported case of liver abscess caused by this organism in the English medical literature.

Haemophilus parainfluenzae Liver Abscess after Successful Liver Transplantation

“…It has been found to be associated with soft tissue infections, septic arthritis, genital tract infections, meningitis and brain abscesses (3), upper respiratory tract infections (10), endocarditis, bacteremia (7), and osteomyelitis (2). To date, only two cases of H. parainfluenzae liver abscess have been reported (3,6).…”

A case of biliary tract infection caused byHaemophilus parainfluenzae

“…To date, only eight cases have been reported: two liver abscesses due to Haemophilus parainfluenzae and three liver abscesses and three biliary tract infections due to Haemophilus influenzae (1,(3)(4)(5) Most of these strains have been found either in water or bird feces, although a few were isolated from wounds (5) without their possible role as potential clinical pathogens recognized at that time. To date, only eight cases have been reported: two liver abscesses due to Haemophilus parainfluenzae and three liver abscesses and three biliary tract infections due to Haemophilus influenzae (1,(3)(4)(5) Most of these strains have been found either in water or bird feces, although a few were isolated from wounds (5) without their possible role as potential clinical pathogens recognized at that time.…”

“…The paucity of data concerning the optimal treatment of these rare infections as well as discrepancies in the antibiotic choices among the reported cases (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)8), show there is a need for new therapies to be investigated. Our therapeutic choice was based on sensitivity tests performed (both antimicrobial agents Were active on the isolated strain), on in vitrodemonstrated synergism of rifampicin and trimethoprim (9, 10), on favourable pharmacokinetics of both drugs (11,12) and on the better acceptability of long-term oral therapies.…”

Beta-lactamase producingHaemophilus influenzae as causative agent of a liver abscess

“…To our knowledge there is only one previous report of liver abscess caused by Haemophilus influenzae (3) and another one by Haemophilus parainfluenzae (4). A few cases of biliary tract infections have been described in association with either cholecystitis or biliary obstruction (1,5,6).…”