Actinomyces causing a brain abscess

Actinomycosis is an uncommon, chronic granulomatous disease caused by the filamentous, gram-positive bacterium Actinomyces israelii. It causes indolent, painful wound infections commonly presenting with oral-cervicofacial manifestations, but other infections of the chest wall and gastrointestinal and genital tract are also seen. A high level of suspicion is required for diagnosis, as it may be missed or mistaken for malignancy. Severe cases may involve the central nervous system and require surgical intervention. We present a case report of actinomycosis causing a brain abscess.