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Updated: May 9, 2026
10:23
Urinary Tract Infection in a Small Animal Model: Transurethral Catheterization of Male and Female Mice
Published on: December 1, 2017
Actinomycosis of the urinary bladder
1College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK;
Summary
Actinomycosis of the urinary bladder, a rare bacterial infection, is often misdiagnosed as cancer. Definitive diagnosis requires postoperative tissue pathology, as seen in a case presenting with hematuria and a bladder mass.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Actinomycosis of the urinary bladder is a rare anaerobic bacterial infection.
- Caused by Actinomyces israelii, it is frequently misdiagnosed as urothelial or urachal tumors.
- Definitive diagnosis typically relies on postoperative tissue pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of urinary bladder actinomycosis.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and emphasize the importance of histopathological confirmation.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 54-year-old male with gross hematuria.
- Diagnostic imaging included ultrasound, computed tomography, and cystoscopy.
- Transurethral resection followed by histological examination.
Main Results:
- Imaging revealed a large inflammatory mass on the bladder wall, mimicking malignancy.
- Histological analysis confirmed inflammatory urothelium and gram-positive bacteria consistent with Actinomyces species.
- The patient's condition was successfully diagnosed and managed postoperatively.
Conclusions:
- Urinary bladder actinomycosis can present as a bladder mass, posing diagnostic difficulties.
- Early recognition and definitive histopathological diagnosis are crucial for appropriate management.
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare infections in the differential diagnosis of bladder lesions.
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