Mediastinitis Due to Actinomyces Naeslundii

Abstract

A 48-year-old man with retrosternal chest pain and upper abdominal pain with propagation to the back, with clinical signs of nausea, dyspnea and dysphagia was referred to the Clinics of thoracic surgery. After esophagography, operative treatment was indicated. Left thoracotomy with mediastinothomy were performed. During the operation, a sample of pus was taken and sent for a microbiological examination at the Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Medical Faculty in Skopje. Standard microbiological procedures were used. The sample was cultured anaerobically on Schaedler agar and incubated for 48 hours at 37ºC. Oval, smooth colonies were observed. Gram stained smear revealed short branching Gram-positive filaments suspected for genus Actinomyces. For a definitive diagnosis and differentiation of the Actinomyces species, an automated VITEK system was used. Two weeks after treatment by ceftriaxon, metronidazol and analgetics, all clinical signs improved and patient was released in good physical condition.