question: Dear Dr, My brother aged 48years old has been diagnosed with ameoebic liver abcess it is size of a grapefruit, he was taken very ill  two weeks ago and treated with anti-biotics in hospital. We have been told that drainage can only be done with support of blood products.  Unfortunately due to religious beliefs he is very against taking blood products to support drainage and has refused this treatment on these grounds.  At present he has been discharged with two lots of anti-biotics and will be re-scanned in 4 weeks time.  We are extremely worried about this abcess and rupture although his general health has improved, less pain and temperature etc...  Do you think he can battle this with anti-biotics alone and is the risk of rupture higher if not drained?