Nine cases of pyogenic liver abscesses caused by Fusobacterium: Review and literature in Japan

The aim of this study is to elucidate clinical features of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) due to Fusobacterium (F-PLA). We report 9 F-PLA cases together with bibliographic consideration of previously reported in Japan. We diagnosed 9 F-PLA cased (7%) out of 125 PLA cases, from 1998 to 2017. Three cases were due to Fusobacterium species, 1 case was due to Fusobacterium necrophorum and 5 cases were due to Fusobacterium nucleatum. The median age was 76 year-old and male gender was predominated. Underlying diseases were intestinal disease, atrophic gastritis, pancreatic cancer, dental disease and pharyngitis. Notably, 6 cases of Fusobacterium nucleatum PLA with colorectal cancer were reported, and Fusobacterium necrophorum PLA patients are likely to be complicated by Lemièrre's syndrome, suggesting there might be different clinical features among different Fusobacterium species. All cases had good prognosis.