[Isolated pleural actinomycosis. Apropos of 2 cases]

Two cases of isolated pleural actinomycosis are reported. This form is much less frequent than the pulmonary form, and it accounts for only 20% of thoracic actinomycoses. The bacteriological diagnosis is easily obtainable by pleural puncture, provided it has not been obscured by previous antibiotic therapy and provided the organism has systematically been cultured under anaerobic conditions. Pleural actinomycosis has a very favourable prognosis. Local treatment, sometimes surgical, is indispensable. If the condition is diagnosed at an early stage, systemic antibiotic therapy can be reduced to 6 to 12 weeks.