Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 1, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Retroperitoneal Approach for Necrotizing Pancreatitis
03:42

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Retroperitoneal Approach for Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Published on: March 15, 2024

595

A Rare Complication of Actinomyces Abdominal Infection: A Case Report

Lígia Freire1, Cláudia Santos1, Frederico Duarte2

  • 1General Surgery, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos, PRT.

Cureus
|April 24, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Actinomyces intraabdominal infections are rare but can mimic tumors. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing these persistent inflammatory conditions, especially after surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Intraabdominal Actinomyces infections are uncommon, typically arising from mucosal barrier breaches in peritoneal organs.
  • These infections present as persistent inflammation and fibrosis, potentially mimicking tumors or other diseases.

Observation:

  • Actinomyces infections can manifest as abscesses, strictures with adhesions, or fistulas.
  • A case of post-hysterectomy surgical site infection by Actinomyces led to a colo-vaginal fistula.

Findings:

  • The presented case involved a superficial and organ/space surgical site infection due to Actinomyces following laparotomic hysterectomy.
  • A subsequent colo-vaginal fistula developed and was successfully treated surgically.

Implications:

  • Early diagnosis and appropriate management, including antimicrobial therapy and surgical drainage, are vital for successful outcomes.
  • Recognizing Actinomyces as a potential cause of complex intraabdominal infections and post-surgical complications is essential for clinicians.
Keywords:
abdominal actinomycosiscolovaginal fistulageneral surgeryhisterectomyinfectious disease

More Related Videos

A Case Series of Successful Abdominal Closure Utilizing a Novel Technique Combining a Mechanical Closure System with a Biologic Xenograft that Accelerates Wound Healing20:33

A Case Series of Successful Abdominal Closure Utilizing a Novel Technique Combining a Mechanical Closure System with a Biologic Xenograft that Accelerates Wound Healing

Published on: July 4, 2019

51.4K
Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis CASP - a Standardized Model for Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis06:45

Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis CASP - a Standardized Model for Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis

Published on: December 18, 2010

19.5K

Related Concept Videos

Appendicitis-I: Introduction01:22

Appendicitis-I: Introduction

The appendix, a small, narrow, blind tube extending from the inferior part of the cecum, is widely regarded as a vestigial organ, having lost much of its original function through evolution. Despite its diminished role, the appendix can become inflamed, a condition known as appendicitis.
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
319
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria01:30

Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria

Coryneform bacteria are gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile rods that exhibit irregular, club-shaped, or V-shaped arrangements. Their V-shape results from snapping division, where the inner cell wall layer forms the cross-wall, while the outer layer remains intact until it ruptures on one side, causing the daughter cells to bend away.The primary genera are Corynebacterium and Arthrobacter. Corynebacterium includes diverse species, ranging from saprophytes to pathogens like Corynebacterium...
43
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
22
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
498
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such...
25
Introduction to Actin01:26

Introduction to Actin

Actin is a highly conserved cytoskeletal protein found abundantly in eukaryotic cells. It constitutes 10% weight of the total cellular protein in muscle cells, while in non-muscle cells, it is lower and makes up around 1–5 percent of the total cell protein. Actin found in the unicellular amoebae and complex multicellular animals is around 80% similar, demonstrating their conservation over a billion years of evolution.  Actin coding genes are conserved within species and across...
5.2K