Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 10, 2025 9 hours, 57 minutes ago
Medical News: COVID-19’s Hidden Impact on the Liver
A new study conducted by medical scientists at the Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences (UPUMS) in Etawah, India, has revealed alarming evidence that COVID-19 can lead to liver abscess formation in some patients. A liver abscess is a serious condition characterized by pus-filled cavities forming within the liver due to bacterial or parasitic infections. This discovery adds another worrying dimension to the long list of post-COVID-19 complications that continue to affect survivors worldwide.
Researchers Warn That COVID-19 Can Cause Liver Abscess
In this
Medical News report, researchers found that severe COVID-19 cases appear to trigger long-lasting inflammation and immune dysfunction that make the liver more vulnerable to infections. The study examined 150 patients diagnosed with liver abscesses and discovered that 60 percent had a prior history of COVID-19 infection. Among these, nearly half required hospitalization during their COVID-19 illness, and 20 percent were admitted to intensive care units.
Study Details and Key Findings
The research team led by Dr. Ramlakhan S. Verma, Dr. Shailendra Pal Singh, Dr. Gaurav Mishra, Dr. Vikas K. Patel, and Dr. Vipin Gupta conducted the study at the Department of General Surgery, UPUMS. They analyzed the medical histories, laboratory data, and imaging results of patients treated for liver abscesses between September 2022 and mid-2025.
The results showed that liver abscesses were most common in middle-aged men, with the average age being 48.3 years. Notably, 40 percent of these patients also suffered from diabetes, and about 23 percent had pre-existing liver cirrhosis. These conditions were found to greatly increase the risk of developing liver abscesses following COVID-19 infection. Elevated levels of inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed, suggesting that inflammation plays a central role in this dangerous complication.
How COVID-19 Damages the Liver
The researchers explained that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, can directly attack liver cells through ACE2 receptors while simultaneously causing widespread inflammation. This combination of viral damage, immune overreaction, and impaired liver function creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth, leading to abscess formation.
Radiological scans confirmed that the majority of liver abscesses occurred in the right lobe of the liver, often as single large lesions. Treatment involved percutaneous drainage procedures along with antibiotics, resulting in an 80 percent recovery rate. However, the mortality rate among affected patients was 3.3 percent, and 10 percent experienced recurrence within six months.
Post-COVID Risks and Recommendations
The study also found a weak but statistically significant link between past COVID-19 infection and higher postoperative mortality and intensive care admissions. This finding indicates that even after recovery, COVID
-19 survivors may remain at risk for severe liver complications. The authors urged doctors to closely monitor liver health in patients who previously had severe COVID-19, particularly those with diabetes, liver cirrhosis, or alcohol-related liver conditions.
A Serious Warning for Post-COVID Patients
The researchers concluded that COVID-19’s lingering impact on the immune system could be silently contributing to life-threatening liver infections long after apparent recovery. They emphasized the importance of early screening for liver abnormalities, especially in people who had severe or prolonged COVID-19 illness. The study reinforces the growing recognition that SARS-CoV-2 is not merely a respiratory virus but one that disrupts multiple organ systems and leaves lasting damage. This new evidence underscores the need for long-term follow-up care for all COVID-19 survivors to prevent complications that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Cureus.
https://www.cureus.com/articles/390318-exploring-the-link-between-covid-19-and-liver-abscess-formation-a-tertiary-care-center-based-analysis-of-pathophysiological-insights-and-clinical-implications#!/
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/long-covid-linked-to-hidden-liver-damage-and-organ-risks
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-virus-found-in-abdominal-fluids-of-liver-disease-patients-raises-new-health-alarms
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-study-finds-that-covid-19-accelerates-liver-cancer-growth-and-spread-via-exosomes-derived-from-syncytia
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