Liver abscesses. Gross specimen of liver tissue with four abscesses. An abscess is a cavity, often formed secondary to a bacterial infection, that is usually filled with pus, a foul-smelling liquid of cellular debris, bacteria and white blood cells. A liver abscess may result from blood poisoning, the perforation of the intestines, appendicitis, post- operative infections, injury or an inflamed bile duct. Certain protozoan infections can also cause liver abscesses. Treatment is usually with drugs (antibiotics) for the bacterial infection, though surgical draining of the abscesses may be needed.