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Abdominal actinomycosis presenting as appendicitis: two case reports and review
Ken Liu1, David Joseph2, Ken Lai3
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia Department of Gastroenterology, Concord Hospital, Concord, NSW, Australia kenliu51@hotmail.com.
Abdominal actinomycosis, a rare bacterial infection, can mimic appendicitis. Early diagnosis and prolonged penicillin treatment are crucial for effective management of this condition.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Abdominal actinomycosis (AA) is an infrequent infection caused by Actinomyces bacteria.
- AA can present with symptoms mimicking common surgical emergencies like appendicitis.
Observation:
- Two adult cases of AA initially presented with clinical and radiological signs of appendicitis.
- Both patients underwent appendicectomy, with histopathology confirming appendiceal actinomycosis.
Findings:
- Actinomycosis of the appendix is a rare differential diagnosis for appendicitis.
- Prolonged oral penicillin therapy proved effective in treating these cases.
Implications:
- A high index of suspicion for AA is crucial in patients with chronic, nonspecific abdominal symptoms.
- Considering AA can prevent unnecessary surgical interventions, favoring effective antibiotic therapy.
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