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[Abdominal actinomycosis: four cases]

N Ghannouchi Jaafoura1, N Kaabia, M Khalifa

  • 1Service de Médecine Interne et Maladies Infectieuses, Hopital Fahrat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie.

Revue Medicale De Liege
|February 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Abdominal actinomycosis (AA) is a rare bacterial infection often misdiagnosed as a tumor. Early antibiotic treatment is crucial for cure, preventing extensive surgery and potential relapse.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Abdominal actinomycosis (AA) is a rare, chronic suppurative illness caused by Actinomyces israelii.
  • AA often presents as a pseudotumoral syndrome, leading to misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgery.
  • Diagnosis is typically confirmed via anatomopathological examination.

Observation:

  • This report details four cases of AA presenting with pseudotumoral syndrome.
  • Diagnosis in these cases was only established post-operatively.
  • Two patients experienced relapse despite prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Findings:

  • AA frequently mimics malignancy, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
  • Surgical intervention is often performed before a definitive diagnosis is reached.
  • Relapse can occur even after months of appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Implications:

  • Highlights the diagnostic challenges of abdominal actinomycosis.
  • Emphasizes the importance of considering AA in pseudotumoral syndromes.
  • Underscores the need for prompt and prolonged antibiotic therapy to prevent surgical complications and relapse.

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