[Disseminated actinomycosis with central nervous system involvement]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Neurology

Background:

• Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial infection with a high mortality rate, particularly when involving the central nervous system (CNS).
• CNS actinomycosis presents diagnostic challenges due to its nonspecific symptoms, often mimicking other infectious or neoplastic conditions.

Observation:

• A clinical case of an adult patient presenting with upper extremity edema and an axillary abscess is described.
• The patient was diagnosed with actinomycetes infection, confirmed from the axillary lesion.

Findings:

• The infection demonstrated hematogenous spread, leading to central nervous system involvement.
• Despite medical intervention, the patient experienced a fatal outcome, underscoring the aggressive nature of disseminated actinomycosis.

Implications:

• Increased clinical suspicion for actinomycosis is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment, especially in cases with unusual presentations.
• Understanding the diverse manifestations of actinomycosis, including thrombophlebitis and CNS involvement, can improve patient outcomes.
• This case emphasizes the critical need for prompt recognition and management of actinomycetes infections to reduce morbidity and mortality.