BACKGROUND/AIMS: Klebsiella pneumoniae is emerging as the leading cause for liver abscess although the most common pathogen was Escherichia coli in the past. Patients with diabetes mellitus are more likely to have a pyogenic liver abscess with gas forming infection; a gas forming pyogenic liver abscess carries a higher morbidity and mortality than the non-gas forming group. This study was conducted to clarify the clinical presentation and prognostic factors for pyogenic liver abscess in diabetic patients compared with non-diabetic patients. METHODS: Medical records of 140 cases of patients treated for pyogenic liver abscess from January 1995 through January 2004 were reviewed retrospectively in detail. RESULTS: Among 140 cases of pyogenic liver abscess, underlying diabetes was present in 26.4% (37/140). The clinical presentation between the two groups was not significantly different. The most common organism for the pyogenic abscess was K. pneumoniae in both groups. A gas forming liver abscess was discovered in only the diabetic liver abscess group, 6 of 37 patients (16%). CONCLUSIONS: K. pneumoniae was the most common organism cultured in both diabetic and non-diabetic liver abscess. Gas forming liver abscess was more common in diabetic patients than non-diabetic patients. Diabetic patients had more complications than non-diabetic patients.
Adult ; Aged ; *Diabetes Complications ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella Infections/complications ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic/*complications/diagnosis/microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite the improvement of personal and social hygiene, pyogenic liver abscess is still a common disease. We compared the incidence, infection route, underlying disease and major complications between two different local hospitals. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data of 100 patients with pyogenic liver abscess who were treated at Seoul and Guri Hanyang University Hospital from 1999 to 2003. RESULTS: There were 64 males and 36 females in the study group; they were aged from 19 to 94 years with a mean of 56.5 years. Every year 19 to 23 pyogenic liver abscess patients were admitted to both hospitals. The most common organism isolated was Klebsiella pneumoniae in both local hospitals. In the Seoul hospital, diabetes (40.9%) was most common associated condition. In the Guri hospital, biliary tract disease or a history of hepatobiliary surgery (54.2%) was the most common associated condition. Catheter drainage and/or percutaneous needle aspiration were established as the standard treatment modality. CONCLUSIONS: In both regional hospitals, the incidence of pyogenic liver abscess did not decrease and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common organism. Diabetes and biliary tract disease, including, previous hepatobiliary surgery, were the most identifiable underlying disease.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; English Abstract ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella Infections/complications/diagnosis/therapy ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; *Liver Abscess, Pyogenic/complications/microbiology/therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged