Abstract
The purpose of this article is to report an unusual presentation of abdominal actinomycosis masquerading as a tumor. Abdominal actinomycosis is an extremely rare infection that can mimic multiple disease processes and requires accurate diagnosis for successful therapy. This novel presentation and a review of the literature are reported. NJR I VOL 2 I ISSUE 1 61-63 Jan-June, 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njr.v2i1.6985
Highlights
Case reportActinomycosis is an anaerobic infection caused by actinomycetes
Bradshaw first described a patient with abdominal actinomycosis in 1846 as reported by R.Berardi.10ActinomycesIsraelii is the most prevalent organism of this genus found in humans.4It is a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium which forms colonies recognizable by the appearance of characteristic sulfur granules
Females are more often affected: it probably results from a long term use of the intra-uterine device (IUD) and endometrial colonization with actinomyces
Summary
Actinomycosis is an anaerobic infection caused by actinomycetes. Prior disease or surgery predisposes to infection, and involved tissue becomes indurated and forms multiple draining fistulas discharging characteristic sulfur granules.1Actinomycosis has three major forms of clinical manifestations: cervicofacial, thoracic, and abdominal.1,2Although the incidence of actinomycosis has decreased, the abdominalpelvic form has increased over the past 10 years and could be the result of prolonged use of intra-uterine device (IUD). The clinical spectrum and the management of actinomycosis have dramatically changed, so have the therapeutic considerations.[3]. Histology of biopsy material demonstrates sulfur granules and filamentous grampositive rods. Imaging studies help to know the extent of lesion and structures involved. The differential diagnosis includes cancer and other chronic infections
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