BACKGROUND: Hepatic or liver tuberculosis is an uncommon form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis which accounts for less than 1% of all tuberculous infections. Furthermore, tuberculous liver abscess (TLA), a subset of hepatic tuberculosis is extremely rare with a prevalence of 0.34% and is usually associated with foci of infection either in the lung, gastrointestinal tract, or an immunocompromised state.

CASE PRESENTATION: A case of a 63-year-old immunocompetent male, with no history of prior pulmonary tuberculosis, was initially diagnosed with pyogenic liver abscess and treated with empiric two-week therapy of Metronidazole 500mg/tab 1 tablet TID and Ciprofloxacin 500mg/tab 1 tablet BID. However, there was the persistence of right upper quadrant pain and jaundice despite compliance to therapy, hence admission. Initial antibiotics were re-initiated and subsequently underwent ultrasound-guided liver aspiration draining a thick, light brown abscess. Microbiologic cultures of the abscess turned out negative but AFB smear revealed 1+ on the AFB national TB program scale signifying 10-99 AFB seen/ 100 visual fields in at least 50 fields. Currently, there are no local treatment recommendations specific for isolated tuberculous liver abscess, thus was empirically started on 2HRZE/4HR for six months. On follow-up, the patient had no recurrence of liver abscess via a repeat ultrasound of the whole abdomen.

CONCLUSION: This is an uncommon presentation of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, an isolated tuberculous liver abscess in an immunocompetent male presenting with persistent right upper abdominal quadrant pain and jaundice. Despite the endemicity of tuberculosis in the Philippines, an isolated tuberculous liver abscess is uncommon or often overlooked. The excellent clinical prognosis of these patients with appropriate therapy necessitates timely diagnosis of this infrequent clinical entity and will prevent further unnecessary surgical interventions.

Keywords: tuberculosis, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, liver abscess, case report

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