Schistosomiasis mansoni is asssociated with pyogenic liver abscesses in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The association between pyogenic liver abscesses and schistosomiasis has be en confirmed by clinical and experimental studies. In this retrospective st udy of 78 patients with pyogenic liver abscesses the association with schis tosomiasis has been investigated. Pyodermitis, a known focus of bacteremia, was observed in 19 patients (24%). Blood eosinophilia was observed in 30 p atients (39%). Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from abscesses in 17 out of 38 patients (45%). Forty-one out of 57 patients (53%) had stool examinat ion. Schistosoma mansoni was the main parasite identified Eggs of S. manson i were also identified in liver biopsies in 7 out of 19 patients who did th e exam. The large number of young patients with liver abscesses described h ere is different from what has been observed in developed countries. This c linical study provide support for the concept that granulomas of S. mansoni in the liver are foci for colonization with S. aureus, which in presence o f staphylococcal bacteremia can form liver abscesses.