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- Title
An unusual case of multiple hepatic and pulmonary abscesses caused by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus in a young man: a case report.
- Authors
Sumer, Johannes; Haller, Sabine; Sawatzki, Mikael; Kellner, Jan; Boggian, Katia
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, formerly known as Haemophilus aphrophilus, belongs to the HACEK organisms, a group of pathogens classically associated with infectious endocarditis. A. aphrophilus is a rarely found pathogen, though abscess formation in various organs has been described, typically due to spread from an infected heart valve. Here we describe the unusual case of multiple hepatic abscesses caused by A. aphrophilus.<bold>Case Presentation: </bold>A 33-year-old Caucasian man presented at our hospital with fever and malaise, elevated inflammatory markers, and liver enzymes. Imaging was compatible with multiple liver and pulmonary abscesses, without evidence of endocarditis. Cultures of blood and liver abscess material remained without growth. Polymerase chain reaction finally revealed Aggregatibacter aphrophilus in the liver tissue. The patient recovered fully within 6 weeks of doxycycline treatment.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>There are only a few case descriptions of liver abscesses caused by A. aphrophilus. As a ubiquitous organism in the gastrointestinal tract, A. aphrophilus may reach the liver via the portal venous system, as well as through hematogenous spread from the oropharynx. HACEK organisms are notoriously difficult to grow on culture, which highlights the diagnostic importance of eubacterial PCR.
- Subjects
LIVER abscesses; ABSCESSES; HEPATIC portal system; INFECTIVE endocarditis; GASTROINTESTINAL system; HEART valves
- Publication
Journal of Medical Case Reports, 2021, Vol 15, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1752-1947
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1186/s13256-020-02650-z