Simultaneous amoebic liver abscess and hepatitis A infection

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection and amoebic liver abscess have an identical mode of transmission (fecal-oral route) and similar epidemiology. Either of these diseases might be considered in patients presenting with clinical signs and symptoms of liver disease in areas of the world where hepatitis and Entamoeba histolytica are endemic. The following two cases describe patients with simultaneous infection of HAV and amoebic liver abscess. This report emphasizes the role of dual infection in patients from endemic areas. It also challenges the assumption that jaundice in patients with amoebic liver abscess is due to amoebic hepatitis, rather than co-infection with viral hepatitis.