What is the difference between a liver abscess and cirrhosis?

Many: Cirrhosis is an end-stage condition of scarring as a result of chronic inflammation of the liver cells by a variety of conditions, including forms of viral infection, alcohol, fatty liver, etc. An abscess is a localized area of infection within the liver parenchyma.

Infection: Cirrhosis is scarring in the liver from chronic scarring over years of life. Liver disease associated with chronic inflammation and infection (primary scerosing cholangitis) can cause both abscess formation and scarring. Liver abscesses are pockets of infection within the liver substance and can certainly form without underlying liver disease or scarring.