Actinomycosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex

The first case, to our knowledge, of cervicofacial actinomycosis arising in a patient with evidence of infection by the human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type III, the causal agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is reported. Clinical uncertainty often exists in cases of actinomycosis due to the relative rarity of the disease, a clinical presentation that is compatible with a host of neoplastic and other infectious disorders, and difficulty in obtaining absolute bacteriologic documentation. Computed tomography was of interest in this case, since the radiographic findings could be correlated with pathophysiologic changes characteristic of this uncommon infection.