The Treatment of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases of the Liver

Infections of the liver can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. This chapter will focus on treatment of the most common bacterial and parasitic infections of the liver. The dynamic interaction between infection, underlying liver disease/condition, host immunity/nutritional status, and antibiotic treatment has a significant impact on clinical presentation, management, and prognosis of the infection. Certain pathogens are seen more frequently or are more virulent in those with chronic liver diseases (CLD). Thus, this chapter will first discuss the principles in managing bacterial and parasitic diseases of the liver, including managing underlying CLD, immune and nutritional status, and taking precautions against drug-induced liver injury, in addition to antibiotic treatment. We then systematically review the most common bacterial and parasitic infections associated with patient’s underlying liver condition, i.e., those occurring in the setting of acute liver failure and CLD, as well as those occurring in individuals with normal liver function.