In a retrospective study (n = 125) by Chuah et al., diabetes mellitus, jaundice, hemoglobin and serum bilirubin levels, and pulmonary involvement were significantly associated with severe liver abscess.7 In a prospective study from India (n = 135), a bilirubin level > 3.5 mg/dL, encephalopathy, volume of abscess cavity, hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin level < 2.0 g/dL), and number of abscesses were identified as independent risk factors of mortality.3 However, this study was conducted in the late 90s, and the overall mortality in this study was high (18%). The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is diabetes mellitus.