Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

BMC Surg 2020 May 24;20(1):112. Epub 2020 May 24.

Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.

Background: Metronidazole (MNZ) has been clearly established as a medication for amebic liver abscess. In uncomplicated cases, surgical drainage should be avoided. We report a case of amebic liver abscess refractory to MNZ that was successfully treated using preoperative computed tomography (CT) and percutaneous and surgical drainage with intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS). Read More

Transplant Proc 2020 May 17. Epub 2020 May 17.

Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (R.O.C.); Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (R.O.C.). Electronic address:

A bronchobiliary fistula (BBF), which is defined by abnormal communication between the biliary system and the bronchial tree, is usually regarded as a consequence of local infection, such as hydatid or amebic disease of the liver, hepatic abscess, trauma, neoplasm, and other causes of biliary obstruction. We present a 40-year-old female patient who received a living donor liver transplantation for autoimmune hepatitis and who suffered from biliary stricture at the anastomosis, bile leakage in the right subphrenic region, and development of a BBF 1 year later. Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) and fistulography showed a fistula between the subphrenic biloma and right lower bronchus. Read More

Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2020 Jun;49(2):361-377

Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology Program, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address:

Pyogenic liver abscesses are classified by the bacteria that have caused the abscess because this guides treatment and can point to the underlying cause. The most common cause is biliary disease. The diagnosis is made by imaging. Read More

Front Pediatr 2020 24;8:111. Epub 2020 Mar 24.

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.

Liver abscess is an important but relatively rare disease in children. This study investigated the clinical characteristics of eligible patients at a referral tertiary center over the past two decades. A 20-year retrospective study (January 2000-December 2019) enrolled 38 children diagnosed with liver abscess. Read More

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2020 Mar 5. Epub 2020 Mar 5.

Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Cleveland Clinic Children's hospital, Cleveland, OH.

Objectives: Population based analysis of incidence, comorbid conditions, microbiological characteristics and outcomes of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in children.

Methodology: Retrospective analysis of National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Kids Inpatient database (KID) database from 2003 to 2014 and included patients between 1 and 20 years of age. Using ICD 9 codes, we identified all hospitalizations with PLA and compared them with 1:10 age and gender matched controls. Read More

Indian J Gastroenterol 2019 12 21;38(6):498-508. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110 029, India.

Background: The role of metronidazole alone, percutaneous aspiration (PA), and percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in the treatment of uncomplicated amebic liver abscess (ALA) is still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the available evidences with regard to treatment modalities in such patients.

Methods: The database was searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until May 2019. Read More

Abdom Radiol (NY) 2020 03;45(3):652-660

Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India.

Purpose: To report venous thrombosis and associated perfusion defect in amebic liver abscess (ALA) using MDCT.

Method: MDCT images of 62 patients with ALA were reviewed for venous thrombosis and associated perfusion abnormalities.

Result: The study found 43 (69%) patients with venous thrombosis: portal vein thrombosis (PVT) occurred in 39, hepatic vein thrombosis (HVT) in 37 and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis in 4. Read More

Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2019 Oct-Dec;82(4):539-541

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospitals Turnhout, Belgium.

A 50-year-old patient was admitted to our department after developing severe abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea and fever, during four days whilst travelling abroad. Imaging identified a mass in the ascending colon with simultaneous liver lesions. Initially a diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer was suggested, however colonoscopy showed a large lesion with a central ulcer and surrounding inflammation in the ascending colon. Read More

Nihon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi 2019 ;116(10):833-841

Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa Medical University.

A 65-year-old man was admitted complaining of high fever and pain in the right lower abdomen. An ileocolonic side-to-end anastomosis had been performed 38 years previously for an abscess in a colonic diverticulum. On the current admission, findings on contrast-enhanced computed tomography suggested an amebic liver abscess and intestinal amebiasis. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 12;101(6):1384-1387

AIDS Clinical Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Recent data show that the gut microbiome plays a role in determining the clinical outcome of infection. We report the case of a patient who developed recurrent acute amebic colitis (second episode of acute colitis) after colonoscopy. Genotyping of revealed that she developed a second episode of acute amebic colitis with the same genotype as that of the first episode, indicating chronic infection had persisted asymptomatically for > 10 months between the first and second episodes. Read More

Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019 12 27;234:111223. Epub 2019 Sep 27.

Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, 29634, United States; Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, 29634, United States. Electronic address:

Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite infecting over 50 million people worldwide and is the causative agent of amebic dysentery and amoebic liver abscess. In the human host, E. histolytica experiences stress brought on by nutrient deprivation and the host immune response. Read More

Infect Immun 2019 12 18;87(12). Epub 2019 Nov 18.

Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico

Epidemiological studies suggest frequent association of enteropathogenic bacteria with during symptomatic infection. In this study, we sought to determine if the interaction with enteropathogenic (EPEC) or nonpathogenic (strain DH5α) could modify the virulence of to cause disease in animal models of amebiasis. studies showed a 2-fold increase in CaCo2 monolayer destruction when interacted with EPEC but not with DH5α for 2. Read More

Rinsho Ketsueki 2019 ;60(8):929-931

Department of Hematology, Nippon Medical School.

A 51-year-old man was diagnosed with stage IV mantle cell lymphoma based on terminal ileum biopsy and treated with the R-CHOP regimen. Abdominal CT to assess continuous fever after three courses of R-CHOP revealed three low-density areas in the liver. PCR of the fluid obtained by percutaneous drainage revealed Entamoeba histolytica positivity, although the cultures were negative. Read More

Infect Immun 2019 11 18;87(11). Epub 2019 Oct 18.

Departamento de Morfología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico

is an anaerobic parasitic protozoan and the causative agent of amoebiasis. expresses proteins that are structurally homologous to human proteins and uses them as virulence factors. We have previously shown that binds exogenous interferon gamma (IFN-γ) on its surface, and in this study, we explored whether exogenous IFN-γ could modulate parasite virulence. Read More

J Assoc Physicians India 2019 Mar;67(3):14-18

Professor, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi.

Background: Intestinal amebiasis is endemic in India, with myriad clinical presentations. The liver is the most common extra-intestinal organ to be involved in invasive amoebiasis up to 37% of cases. Synchronous presentation of hepatic and intestinal disease is unusual, and presentation as acute gastrointestinal bleed, or amoeboma even more atypical. Read More

J Assoc Physicians India 2019 Mar;67(3):11-12

Assistant Professor, Department of Gastroenterology Seth G S Medical College and K E M Hospital Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Indian Pediatr 2019 06;56(6):504-505

Department of Pediatrics, Jupiter Hospital, Thane, India.

Background: Co-occurrence of amebic hepatitis and Kawasaki disease has not been reported previously.

Case Characteristics: We describe two children (aged 4 y and 5 y) with Kawasaki disease and coexisting liver abscess. They were treated with intravenous immunoglobulins with/without percutaneous drainage in combination with amebicidal agents. Read More

J Immunol Res 2019 15;2019:7431652. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Departamento de Morfología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Ags, Mexico.

Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) is the most common extraintestinal amoebiasis caused by (). However, despite current knowledge and scientific advances about this infection, there are no effective treatments to prevent it. Herein, the antiamoebic capacity of curcumin in a hamster model was evaluated. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019 29;9:180. Epub 2019 May 29.

Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.

The protozoan parasite can induce amebic colitis and amebic liver abscess. First-line drugs for the treatment of amebiasis are nitroimidazoles, particularly metronidazole. Metronidazole has side effects and potential drug resistance is a concern. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 07;101(1):157-159

Department of G.I. Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India.

Intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm (IHPA) is generally iatrogenic, and it warrants urgent management because of its reportedly significant risk of rupture leading to considerable mortality. Intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm caused by amebic liver abscess (ALA) is exceedingly rare with fewer than seven published reports. All reported symptomatic cases have been treated with hepatic artery embolization; therefore, little is known about its natural course and effect of abscess drainage on its outcome. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Jun 3;19(1):490. Epub 2019 Jun 3.

Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, Northwick Park Hospital, Middlesex, Harrow, HA1 3UJ, UK.

Background: We describe the clinical features of a cohort of patients with liver abscesses and investigate relationships between clinical, radiological and microbiological findings and mortality.

Methods: Retrospective review of pyogenic (PLA) or amoebic liver abscesses (ALA) diagnosed and treated at a major infectious diseases department in London over 9 years.

Results: One hundred forty-one patient records were identified; 132 (93. Read More

Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Nov 20;42(9):548-549. Epub 2019 May 20.

Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, España.

Gut Microbes 2020 15;11(1):118-125. Epub 2019 May 15.

Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

() is a protozoan parasite of humans that colonizes the outer colonic mucus layer. Under conditions not fully understood, breaches innate host defenses and invades the intestinal mucosa-causing amebic colitis and liver abscess. In asymptomatic infection, interacts with and feeds on resident microbiota that forms biofilms on the outer colonic mucus layer. Read More

PLoS One 2019 17;14(4):e0215774. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone. Read More

GE Port J Gastroenterol 2019 Mar 12;26(2):121-124. Epub 2018 Jun 12.

bDepartment of Surgery, Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo, Lima, Peru.

Introduction: An amebic liver abscess is the most common presentation of extraintestinal amebiasis. This condition is the result of a parasite infection caused by .

Materials And Methods: We report a case of a 53-year-old male who presented with abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant, jaundice, and a 10-kg weight loss within a 1-month span. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2019 Apr 10;20:493-498. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomo-Pathological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

BACKGROUND E. histolytica liver abscess results from extra-intestinal diffusion of amebiasis, which is responsible for up 100 000 deaths per annum, placing it second only to malaria in mortality. Currently, the criterion standard for the diagnosis of liver abscesses is ultrasound, but CEUS (contrast-enhanced ultrasound) is emerging as a more accurate method for liver study, and it could be more accurate than ultrasound and non-invasive compared to CT. Read More

PLoS One 2019 3;14(4):e0214880. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P., India.

Background: Amebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Mortality due to amebiasis is mostly by extra intestinal infections, amebic liver abscess being the most common one. Read More

Trop Doct 2019 Jul 2;49(3):197-200. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

1 Department of Gastroenterology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India.

The role of toddy (palm wine) as an independent risk factor for amoebic liver abscess (ALA) is not clear. In a cross-sectional study, the clinico-demographic profiles of inpatients with ALA were examined. Microscopy examination of toddy (n = 43) samples was performed. Read More

Indian J Public Health 2019 Jan-Mar;63(1):89-90

Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India.

Parasit Vectors 2019 Mar 13;12(1):101. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchawithi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.

Background: Despite similarities in morphology, gene and protein profiles, Entamoeba histolytica and E. moshkovskii show profound differences in pathogenicity. Entamoeba histolytica infection might result in amoebic dysentery and liver abscess, while E. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2019 Feb 25;13(1):43. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (IEMEST), Via Emerico Amari, 123, 90139, Palermo, Italy.

Introduction: Hepatic abscess can be defined as an encapsulated collection of suppurative material within the liver parenchyma. Hepatic abscess can be distinguished as pyogenic, amebic, or fungal. Biliary tract disease remains the most common cause of hepatic abscess today, and the most common complications range from pleural effusion, empyema, and bronchohepatic fistula to subphrenic abscess and rupture into the peritoneal cavity, stomach, colon, vena cava, or kidney. Read More

Curr Drug Saf 2019 ;14(2):163-166

Department of Geriatric Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, India.

Background: Metronidazole, a widely used antibacterial and antiprotozoal drug, is often the drug of choice in amoebic liver abscess. The drug, otherwise safe, can cause serious central nervous disturbances in rare circumstances.

Case Report: Here, we report a case of cerebellar dysfunction in the form of slurring of speech and episodes of falls, in an elderly male following a three-week course of metronidazole therapy. Read More

Indian J Med Res 2018 Oct;148(4):385-395

Epidemiology and Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.

Background & Objectives: Although febrile illnesses are a frequent cause of consultation and hospitalization in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), research has mainly focused on acute febrile illnesses (AFIs). In contrast, there are limited data on the causes of persistent febrile illnesses (PFIs) in LMIC. Lack of clarity on the differential diagnosis of PFIs in the rural tropics leads to the absence of diagnostic guidance tools. Read More

N Engl J Med 2018 Dec;379(23):2255

Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Mar 15;42(3):185. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid , Spain.

Cir Esp 2019 Aug - Sep;97(7):412-413. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Unidad de Cirugía Hepatobiliopancreática y Trasplante, Servicio de Cirugía, Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.

Mali Med 2018 ;33(1):1-5

Service de chirurgie A CHU du Point G.

Aim: Our aim was to evaluate the diagnosis and therapeutic aspects of the amoebic liver abscesses in the surgery «A» department of the University hospital Point "G".

Patients And Methods: Were included in this study, patients admitted to the surgery «A» department for amoebic liver abscess confirmed by a positive amoebic serology and the chocolate appearance of bacteria-free pus. Bacterial liver abscesses were not included into this study. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018 18;8:358. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Investigación de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.

Calreticulin (CRT) is a highly conserved protein in the endoplasmic reticulum that plays important roles in the regulation of key cellular functions. Little is known about the participation of CRT (CRT) in the processes of pathogenicity or in the modulation of the host immune response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of CRT in the proliferation and the cytokine profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with amebic liver abscess (ALA) during the acute phase (AP-ALA) of the disease compared to patients during the resolution phase (R-ALA). Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 10 29;12(10):e0006892. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.

Background: Amebiasis is a protozoal infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica, while the morphologically indistinguishable E. dispar is considered as non-pathogenic. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are necessary to differentiate both species. Read More

Abdom Radiol (NY) 2019 03;44(3):877-885

Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (US-PCD) in management of various types of ruptured amebic liver abscess including free rupture (FR) with diffuse intraperitoneal fluid collections (DIFC).

Methods: This study analyzed 117 patients with ruptured ALA who underwent US-PCD. The indication for US-PCD was failure to respond to conservative treatment and/or percutaneous needle aspiration. Read More

Scand J Gastroenterol 2018 Sep 26;53(9):1085-1088. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

a Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium.

Entamoeba histolytica colitis can mimic Crohn's disease. However, a fulminant infection can be life-threatening, especially after exposure to systemic steroids. We present a case of the patient who was initially diagnosed with ileocolonic Crohn's disease, but developed a hepatic E histolytica abscess while undergoing anti-TNF therapy. Read More

Biosci Rep 2018 10 2;38(5). Epub 2018 Oct 2.

Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, 04510, México.

Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by This illness is prevalent in poor countries causing 100,000 deaths worldwide. Knowledge of the natural resistance mechanisms of rats to amoebic liver abscess (ALA) development may help to discover new pathogenic factors and to design novel therapeutic strategies against amoebiasis. In this work, histologic analyses suggested that the complement system may play a central role in rat natural resistance to ALA. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2018 Jul 20;162. Epub 2018 Jul 20.

Maxima Medisch Centrum, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Veldhoven.

Background: Cases of Entamoeba histolytica infections in the Netherlands are usually imported diseases. The most common extra-intestinal manifestation of E. histolytica is the amoebic abscess. Read More

FASEB J 2019 02 31;33(2):1658-1668. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; and.

Recently, Entamoeba histolytica clones derived from isolate HM-1:IMSS that differ in their pathogenicity were identified. Whereas some clones induce amoebic liver abscesses (ALAs) in animal models of amoebiasis, others provoke only minimal liver lesions. Based on transcriptome studies of pathogenic and nonpathogenic clones, differentially expressed genes associated with reduced or increased liver pathology can be identified. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018 08;99(2):247-248

William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas.

QJM 2019 01;112(1):67-68

Manchester Medical Society, Manchester, NH, USA.

Case Rep Med 2018 29;2018:9593865. Epub 2018 May 29.

Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Liver abscess is a rare but serious complication of Crohn's disease. Patients with Crohn's disease are at risk for pyogenic liver abscesses due to immunosuppressive therapy, fistulous disease, and intraabdominal abscesses. Inflammatory bowel disease patients are also known to have a greater prevalence of amebiasis compared to the rest of the population; however, a higher incidence of amebic liver abscess has not been reported. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018 22;8:209. Epub 2018 Jun 22.

Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico.

Over the past 20 years, gastrointestinal infections in developing countries have been a serious health problem and are the second leading cause of morbidity among all age groups. Among pathogenic protozoans that cause diarrheal disease, the parasite produces amebic colitis as well as the most frequent extra-intestinal lesion, an amebic liver abscess (ALA). Usually, intestinal amebiasis and ALA are treated with synthetic chemical compounds (iodoquinol, paromomycin, diloxanide furoate, and nitroimidazoles). Read More

Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci 2018 Apr-Jun;8(2):90-99

Department of Anaesthesia, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Background: The importance of cecal pathologies lie in the fact that being the first part of the large intestine, any disease involving the cecum affects the overall functioning of the large bowel. Primary cecal pathologies presenting as acute abdomen have not been described in any previous study in terms of presentation, management, and outcome.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the reported causes of primary cecal pathologies presenting as acute abdomen and the various causes presenting in our setting, the to discuss morbidity and mortality associated with cecal pathologies, and to critically analyze the various management modalities employed in an emergency setting. Read More