Bacterial and parasitic infections of the liver

Abstract

Abstract The liver with its unique dual blood supply is susceptible to bacterial and parasitic infections. Fungal infections are usually rare but more often encountered in immunocompromised individuals. Clinical presentation in an individual varies from being asymptomatic to abnormal liver biochemistry (granulomatous liver disorders) to symptomatic hepatitis manifesting with fever, jaundice, or as discomfort/pain being localized to the upper abdomen by space-occupying lesions as in liver abscesses. Diagnosis at times is challenging, but a reasonable knowledge on the regional prevalence of various parasitic infections, a detailed history, and a good physical examination complemented by molecular diagnostic and liver imaging can help one to make an early diagnosis with initiation of appropriate treatment. This chapter considers various aspects of pathogenicity, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of major bacterial and parasitic infections of the liver and biliary tree.