[Actinomycoses. Anatomopathological study. Apropos of 10 cases]

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Pathology

Context:

• Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial infection with diverse anatomical presentations.
• Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of sampling and histological staining in actinomycosis cases.
• To compare histological findings with microbiological culture results.

Summary:

• Ten cases of actinomycosis reported between 1975-1983 showed cervicofacial, thoracic, abdominal, and aneurysmal localizations.
• Surgical biopsy was diagnostic in 80% of cases, with Gram staining crucial for confirming actinomycosis and distinguishing it from botryomycosis.
• Histology identified actinomycosis granules, while Gram staining confirmed the diagnosis in 6 cases and corrected misdiagnoses in 3 others.
• Tissue culture provided a diagnosis in one case not identified by histology.

Impact:

• Highlights the importance of surgical biopsy and Gram staining in diagnosing actinomycosis.
• Underscores the limitations of histology and the value of microbiological culture in complex cases.
• Contributes to understanding the diagnostic challenges and optimal methods for actinomycosis detection.