Amoebic Liver Abscess: Potential Application of New Diagnostic Techniques for an Old Pathogen

• Published in: Infectious diseases and therapy Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 625 - 632
• Main Authors: Portunato, Federica, Bartalucci, Claudia, Vena, Antonio, Giacobbe, Daniele Roberto, Porcile, Elisa, Montanelli, Paolo, Piol, Nataniele, Centanaro, Monica, Andorno, Enzo, Bassetti, Matteo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cheshire Springer Healthcare 01.03.2024; Springer; Springer Nature B.V; Adis, Springer Healthcare
• Subjects: Abdomen; Abscesses; Amoebiasis; Antibiotics; Antigens; Case Report; Case reports; Communicable diseases; FilmArray gastrointestinal panel; Infections; Infectious Diseases; Internal Medicine; Light microscopy; Liver; Liver abscess; Liver diseases; Medical imaging; Medical research; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Microscopy; Pathogens; Patients; Protozoa; Serology; Amoebiasis; Liver abscess; FilmArray gastrointestinal panel
• ISSN: 2193-8229; 2193-6382
• DOI: 10.1007/s40121-024-00934-1

Amoebic liver abscess is a severe and potentially life-threatening infection requiring prompt diagnosis and early targeted treatment. Diagnosis is challenging because conventional diagnostic methods such as light microscopy and serology are often unreliable. Molecular techniques have emerged as an additional diagnostic tool, suddenly becoming the new diagnostic reference standard. More recently, commercial multiplex PCR panels, including FilmArray, have been introduced, which permit the simultaneous detection of several enteric pathogens including Entamoeba histolytica in stool samples. We report a case of an amoebic liver abscess promptly diagnosed by FilmArray gastrointestinal panel performed on liver drainage fluid.