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CASE REPORT
Actinomyces naeslundii and Eikenella corrodens as rare causes of liver abscesses
  1. Nathan Thomas Jaqua,
  2. Adam J Smith,
  3. Terry T Shin,
  4. Jay Jahanmir
  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Nathan Thomas Jaqua, nathan.jaqua{at}gmail.com

Summary

A 48-year-old man with an unremarkable medical history was admitted with vague conditions of fever, chills, myalgias and malaise. Physical examination was remarkable for only scleral icterus. Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. Imaging demonstrated two masses in the right lobe of his liver, which were ultimately drained and cultures demonstrated Actinomyces and Eikenella. He continued to have fever on broad-spectrum antibiotics until catheter drainage of the abscesses was performed. He was eventually discharged in improved condition on amoxicillin-clavulanate. His aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin continued to improve and he remained afebrile and asymptomatic. A repeat CT 2 months after discharge demonstrated resolution of the abscesses. Actinomyces and Eikenella are rare causes of liver abscesses and treatment requires drainage and an extended course of antibiotics. The polymicrobial character typical of liver abscesses makes antibiotic therapy challenging when cultures reveal rare organisms such as Actinomyces and Eikenella.

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