Liver Abscess Caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a serious infectious disease of the liver. Pyogenic liver abscess caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum is extremely rare. Here we report the first case of liver abscess caused by F. nucleatum in China. Case Presentation: The case was a 34-year-old female patient admitted to the hospital due to high fever. The diagnosis of liver abscess was confirmed by imaging studies and liver puncture. We finally confirmed the pathogen as F. nucleatum by next-generation sequencing (NGS). After the targeted anti-infective treatment, the patient recovered and discharged. Conclusions: As a new microbial detection method, NGS can still help in clinical practice. In addition, to improve the positive rate of anaerobic bacteria culture, we should pay attention to avoid contact with air in the process of specimen collection when the pathogenic bacteria are suspected to be anaerobic bacteria.