High-density lipoprotein cholesterol at admission reflects disease course, severity, and influences management decisions in patients with amoebic liver abscess.

This article focuses on the association between serum lipid profiles, particularly high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the severity of amoebic liver abscess (ALA), a significant health issue in tropical regions. In a study of 118 ALA patients, HDL-C levels were markedly lower compared to controls and were independently predictive of complicated ALA, outperforming traditional inflammatory markers like total leukocyte count and C-reactive protein. Lower HDL-C was also linked to increased need for percutaneous catheter drainage and longer hospital stays, with levels improving after treatment. These findings suggest that HDL-C is a valuable, cost-effective biomarker for assessing ALA severity and guiding clinical management, especially in resource-limited settings.