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Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis CASP - a Standardized Model for Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis
Published on: December 18, 2010
Secondary peritonitis by
Vítor Neves Lopes1, Maria Jesus Dantas1,2, Paulo Andrade2,3
1Department of Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Tâmega e Sousa, Penafiel, Portugal.
Abdominal actinomycosis, a rare infection, can cause prolonged illness if unrecognized. This case highlights successful treatment with antibiotics after surgery for a perforated gastric ulcer.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Abdominal actinomycosis is an uncommon bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces species.
- Delayed diagnosis of actinomycosis can lead to severe complications, including prolonged sepsis and disease recurrence.
- The clinical presentation of abdominal actinomycosis can mimic other intra-abdominal pathologies, complicating diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of abdominal actinomycosis presenting as secondary peritonitis.
- To discuss the diagnostic challenges and management strategies for this rare condition.
- To emphasize the importance of considering actinomycosis in the differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal infections.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 53-year-old female patient with secondary peritonitis.
- Surgical intervention for a perforated gastric ulcer attributed to a foreign body.
- Treatment with a prolonged course of penicillin-derived antibiotics.
Main Results:
- The patient's peritonitis was secondary to abdominal actinomycosis.
- Surgical repair of the perforated gastric ulcer was performed.
- A long course of penicillin-derived antibiotics was administered post-operatively.
Conclusions:
- Early recognition and appropriate treatment are crucial for managing abdominal actinomycosis.
- Penicillin-derived antibiotics remain a cornerstone of therapy for actinomycosis.
- This case underscores the importance of a high index of suspicion for rare infections in complex intra-abdominal presentations.
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