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Multiple brain abscesses due to Actinomyces species

Oluwadamilola A Adeyemi1, Numa Gottardi-Littell, Kenji Muro

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. o-adeyemi@northwestern.edu

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
|July 8, 2008
PubMed

Insights

This case study details a rare instance of multiple brain abscesses caused by Actinomyces species in an otherwise healthy adult. Diagnosis involved identifying sulfur granules and Gram-positive rods in brain tissue samples.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Actinomyces species are rare causes of brain abscesses, particularly in immunocompetent individuals.
  • Brain abscesses can present with non-specific neurological symptoms, complicating early diagnosis.

Observation:

  • A 35-year-old immunocompetent male presented with a two-month history of headache, diplopia, fever, and weight loss.
  • Symptoms persisted despite a month of broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment.

Findings:

  • Surgical intervention, including right anterior temporal lobectomy and abscess evacuation, was performed.
  • Histopathological examination revealed sulfur granules and Gram-positive filamentous rods, confirming Actinomyces infection.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering Actinomyces in the differential diagnosis of brain abscesses, even in immunocompetent patients.
  • Prompt histopathological analysis is crucial for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment of rare infectious etiologies.

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