An unusual pathogen for a liver abscess in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected individual

Am J Med Sci. 2010 Mar;339(3):290-1. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3181c6ef05.

Abstract

Pyogenic liver abscesses are rarely encountered in HIV-infected patients living outside of temperate climates and are usually polymicrobial in nature, with a majority of the pathogens arising from gastrointestinal flora. We describe the second case of a liver abscess in an HIV-positive individual that was caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), most likely due to a partially treated community-acquired MRSA skin abscess. The liver abscess was successfully managed by percutaneous drainage and intravenous antibiotics. This case underlines the ubiquitous nature of community-acquired MRSA and its possible unusual presentations in immunocompromised hosts.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Liver Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Liver Abscess / microbiology*
  • Liver Abscess / virology
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* / isolation & purification
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / virology