[Thoracic actinomycosis. Two aspects of an infection with protean manifestations]

The authors report two cases of thoracic actinomycosis with contrasting presentations, just as the diagnosis was obtained by different tests underlying the varied aspects of this disease. Indeed this infectious pathology does infrequently mimic tuberculosis or lung cancer with similar clinical and radiological appearances. The particular characteristic of the bacteriological culture and the quasi specific character of the pale, yellow grains on histology are recalled, as well as the different treatments necessary to ensure a cure in 90% of cases.