[Clinical presentation and short-term treatment of pulmonary actinomycosis]

Actinomycosis is an uncommon disease caused by Actinomyces, a commensal of the oropharyngeal, digestive, and genital tract. Commonly, it manifests as cervicofacial infection and is often related to poor oral health, smoking, chronic alcoholism or immune deficiency. Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare disease, characterized by unspecific clinical, biological, and radiological manifestations that may be confused with other diseases. It should always be considered in patients suspected of having tuberculosis, lung abscess or pulmonary neoplasia. We describe a case of pulmonary actinomycosis treated successfully with short-term antibiotic therapy of three months, with a short review of the literature.