Identification and Management of Fusobacterium Nucleatum Liver Abscess and Bacteremia in a Young Healthy Man

A 21-year-old previously healthy young man was admitted with five days of fever, persistent cough, worsening shortness of breath, and vomiting. On presentation, laboratory evaluation revealed extremely elevated procalcitonin and leukopenia followed by leukocytosis. The patient was started on empiric antibiotics. Further diagnostic evaluation after initiation of antibiotics included a computed tomography scan, which revealed a large hepatic abscess. Blood cultures obtained on admission grew Fusobacterium nucleatum; fluid obtained from the hepatic abscess also grew F. nucleatum. The patient’s antibiotic regimen was narrowed for specific coverage of F. nucleatum. The liver abscess was drained several times via image-guided percutaneous abscess drainage, with eventual resolution of the abscess. Patient received a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics and, once stabilized, was discharged on two weeks of Augmentin. Here, we present a rare case of hepatic abscess and bacteremia due to F. nucleatum in a previously healthy young man with good oral hygiene. With this case, we aim to demonstrate the following: (1) the acute onset and rapid disease progression of F. nucleatum bacteremia and liver abscess; (2) how extreme procalcitonin elevation may serve to be a clinically useful early marker of F. nucleatum infection; and (3) the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and definitive abscess drainage of F. nucleatum bacteremia and liver abscess.