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©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Hepatol. Mar 27, 2024; 16(3): 316-330
Published online Mar 27, 2024. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i3.316
Amebic liver abscess: An update
Jinit R Soni, Utpal Anand, Tanmoy Maji, Ruchika Narayan, Rajeev Nayan Priyadarshi, Rishabh Patel, Ramesh Kumar
Ramesh Kumar, Rishabh Patel, Tanmoy Maji, Jinit R Soni, Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, India
Rajeev Nayan Priyadarshi, Ruchika Narayan, Department of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, India
Utpal Anand, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, India
Author contributions: Kumar R, Patel R, and Priyadarshi RN designed the study, collected data, analysed data, and wrote the manuscript; Narayan R, Maji T, Anand U and Soni JR contributed to data collection, critical inputs and manuscript writing and revision; all authors have read and approve the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Ramesh Kumar, MBBS, MD, Additional Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Phulwari Sharif, Patna 801507, India. docrameshkr@gmail.com
Received: November 25, 2023
Peer-review started: November 25, 2023
First decision: January 15, 2024
Revised: January 23, 2024
Accepted: February 21, 2024
Article in press: February 21, 2024
Published online: March 27, 2024
Processing time: 123 Days and 6 Hours
Core Tip

Core Tip: Amebic liver abscess (ALA) is the most prevalent type of liver abscess in the tropical world. It has many peculiar characteristics, such as non-suppurative lesion, strong male predisposition, association with alcohol consumption, predilection for the right liver lobe, and potential for healing without drainage. Differentiating it from a pyogenic liver abscess can be challenging in clinical practice. The role of a serological test is limited in the endemic regions where microbiological evidence often requires molecular tests. Metronidazole continues to be the preferred agent for ALA. However, there are some growing concerns regarding the resistance against this drug. Drainage is often not required for the treatment of uncomplicated ALA. In the case of complicated ALA, a recent paradigm shift has led to the preference for percutaneous treatment over surgery, which carries a high mortality risk.