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A Rare Thermophilic Bug in Complicated Diverticular Abscess
Kyawzaw Lin1, Sithu Lin1, Aung Naing Lin1
1Internal Medicine Department, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Affiliate of the Mount Sinai Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Abstract:
Actinomycosis is a form of painful abscess in the gastrointestinal tract or in deep tissue caused by actinomyces species. They are one of the commensal bacteria in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract of humans but can opportunistically cause infection in immunosuppressive hosts through invasion of breached mucosa or necrotic tissue while mimicking malignancy, gastrointestinal tuberculosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Actinomyces israelii is, by far, the major and most common human pathogen throughout literatures. By virtue of rarity and diagnostic confusion with masquerading malignancies, only 10% of the cases have been diagnosed preoperatively, so as to be able to verge patients from undergoing unnecessary surgical intervention. Herein, we present a rare case of complicated diverticular abscess manifested by Actinomyces meyeri after postoperative tissue diagnosis.
Insights
Actinomycosis, a rare bacterial infection, can cause deep tissue abscesses. This case highlights a complicated diverticular abscess caused by Actinomyces meyeri, emphasizing diagnostic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection caused by commensal species of Actinomyces.
- These bacteria can cause deep tissue abscesses, often mimicking other serious conditions like malignancy or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Diagnosis is frequently delayed due to its rarity and non-specific presentation, with only 10% diagnosed preoperatively.
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