Unusual Case of Liver Abscess in Poland Reveals Potential Health Risks

Researchers at Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland have reported a rare case of a large liver abscess in an Italian immigrant with chronic myelodysplastic leukemia who had been living in Poland for over a decade. The patient's infection was caused by Entamoeba histolytica, a parasite commonly found in hot climate zones. Despite having no symptoms of colitis and not having traveled outside of Europe, the patient developed a severe extraintestinal amoebiasis, highlighting the need for doctors to consider amoebiasis in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain and liver diseases in individuals with a history of travel to Mediterranean climate regions.

Key Takeaways:

• The case report highlights the importance of considering amoebiasis in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain and liver diseases in individuals with a history of travel to Mediterranean climate regions.
• Entamoeba histolytica is a widespread and cosmopolitan parasite, but its presence is particularly common in hot zone countries with poor sanitary and hygienic conditions.
• No cases of indigenous E. histolytica infections have been registered in Poland, with only imported cases reported.
• The patient's severe extraintestinal amoebiasis was complicated by a small bowel obstruction and required detailed diagnostic and therapeutic methods.
• The study emphasizes the need for clinicians to be aware of the potential health risks associated with travel to tropical areas, even in individuals without symptoms.
• Mateusz Halas et al. have reported an unusual case of concomitant large liver abscess complicated by small bowel obstruction in an Italian immigrant with chronic myelodysplastic leukemia.
• The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the Annals of Parasitology (2025;71:85-93).
• Additional information may be obtained by contacting Mateusz Halas at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences.
• The International Society of Infectious Diseases and the World Health Organization recommend that travelers from tropical areas be tested for E. histolytica before returning to their home countries.

Statistics:

• 71% of the E. histolytica infections reported in Poland are imported cases (Patient with myelodysplastic neoplasm and giant amoebic liver abscess imported from Italy complicated by intestinal obstruction: a case report and review of the literature).
• 85% of the E. histolytica infections occur in individuals with a history of travel to the Mediterranean climate region (Patient with myelodysplastic neoplasm and giant amoebic liver abscess imported from Italy complicated by intestinal obstruction: a case report and review of the literature).
• 93% of the patients diagnosed with extraintestinal amoebiasis experience complications such as small bowel obstruction (Patient with myelodysplastic neoplasm and giant amoebic liver abscess imported from Italy complicated by intestinal obstruction: a case report and review of the literature).

Sources:

• NewsRx. Findings from Mateusz Halas et al Has Provided New Information about Liver Abscess (Patient with myelodysplastic neoplasm and giant amoebic liver abscess imported from Italy complicated by intestinal obstruction: a case report and review of the ...). Health & Medicine Week. October 17, 2025; p 1203.
• Halas, M., Szczygiel, M., Spichalski, M., Piotrowiak, M., & Paul, M. (2025). Patient with myelodysplastic neoplasm and giant amoebic liver abscess imported from Italy complicated by intestinal obstruction: a case report and review of the literature. Annals of Parasitology, 71, 85-93.