TBA (25S155)

Microbiology and Epidemiology of Adult Liver Abscess in a Tertiary Hospital in Ireland (2008 – 2023)

Author(s)

S Hunter, S Ni Bhaoill, C O’Connor.

Department(s)/Institutions

1. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.

Introduction

Liver abscesses are a potentially life-threatening condition that can arise from a variety of infectious aetiologies, and their clinical impact can be influenced by underlying aetiology, microbiology and timely interventions.

Aims/Background

This study aims to provide an in-depth review of all clinical cases of liver abscesses in adult patients at Beaumont Hospital over a 16-year period (2008-2023), focusing on epidemiology, microbiology, and mortality outcomes.

Method

A sixteen-year retrospective analysis of radiological, laboratory, and medical records of adult patients presenting with liver abscesses to a tertiary referral hospital.

Results

176 patients; 117 were male (66.47%). Mean age at diagnosis 65 years (range 18-96 years). Aetiology: biliary pathology 51.7%, no identifiable cause 15.9%, diverticular disease 8.5%, post-operative intra-abdominal collections 6.5%. In 50.6%, one or more organisms were cultured. 36.9% of abscesses were not aspirated and of those aspirated 12.5% had no growth in the laboratory. The commonest pathogens isolated were Escherichia coli (n=39), Streptococcus species (n=22) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=11). Of note 5.1% (n=9) passed away whilst hospitalised with a confirmed liver abscess.

Conclusions

This study has provided an epidemiological update on liver abscesses in a tertiary level 4 hospital. Biliary disease being the commonest cause and E.coli being the commonest pathogen concurs with recent data. Mortality rate is also consistent with global data estimates of less than 10%.