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Actinomycotic suppurative thyroiditis in a child
Nihal Karatoprak1, Zeynep Atay, Nurdan Erol
1Clinic of Pediatrics, Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Actinomyces species can cause rare cases of acute suppurative thyroiditis in infants. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics and surgery are crucial for recovery.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a rare but serious condition in infants.
- Actinomycosis, a bacterial infection, is an uncommon cause of thyroiditis.
Observation:
- An 18-month-old female infant presented with fever, neck erythema, induration, and tenderness.
- Laboratory evaluation led to the diagnosis of acute suppurative thyroiditis.
Findings:
- The infant was successfully treated with surgical debridement and intravenous penicillin G.
- Cultures for Actinomyces species can be challenging due to their fastidious nature.
Implications:
- Actinomyces spp. should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infant thyroiditis.
- Microbiology laboratories require advance notification for optimal culture and transport of Actinomyces specimens.
Aim:
To present a rare case of actinomycotic suppurative thyroiditis in an infant with provision of the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical findings and treatment of this rare disease.
Design:
A report of an 18-month-old female infant who presented with fever, erythema, induration and tenderness of the neck. The patient had the diagnosis of acute suppurative thyroiditis after a series of laboratory evaluation.
Result:
She was treated successfully with surgical debridement and intravenous penicillin G.
Conclusion:
Although rare, Actinomyces spp. should be considered in the etiology of acute suppurative thyroiditis. Because of its fastidious nature the probability of positive culture is low, thus, the microbiology laboratory should be called in advance to make preparations before culture and transport.
