First Case Report of Primary Cutaneous Actinomycosis With Secondary Involvement of Bone

Cutaneous Actinomycosis of the Perineum in an Immunocompetent Man

ABSTRACT

We present a case of primary cutaneous actinomycosis of unclear pathogenesis. A 30-year-old-man with no significant medical or surgical history presented to the emergency department with a 2-week history of a tender perineal mass. The patient denied trauma or perforating injury to the area. Examination of the area revealed an indurated, nonfluctuant, erythematous papulonodule located 2 cm from the anus. The lesion was unresponsive to oral and topical antibiotics and was therefore excised. The excision specimen revealed a dense mixed infiltrate partially filling the reticular dermis and extending into the subcutaneous fat. The infiltrate surrounded grains of basophilic material with an outer rim of eosinophilic radiating Splendore-Hoeppli material. Within the grains, filamentous bacteria were highlighted with Periodic acid-Schiff and Grocott's methenamine silver. The organisms were gram-positive and acid-fast negative. Given the clinical and histopathologic findings, actinomycosis was diagnosed. Two weeks later, the patient reported resolution of symptoms. The patient was lost to follow-up. This case highlights an unusual presentation of actinomycosis and the crucial role histopathology plays in diagnosis.

[Actinomycosic mycetoma of the foot in Morocco due to Actinomycetes viscosus]

We present the case of an actinomycotic mycetoma of the foot due to Actinomycetes viscosus. It evolved for nine years on the foot of a 26-year-old patient from a rural environment: Douar Inezgane (city in southern Morocco). Bacteriological study of the skin and grains confirmed the diagnosis. It showed positive bacilli on direct examination and on Gram staining and in positive culture. Histological study showed a polymorphous granulomatous inflammation without signs of malignancy with actinomycotic grains. Then we retained the diagnosis of primary cutaneous actinomycosis without visceral locations. The treatment was based on antibiotics: penicillin G by intravenous infusion for five weeks, relayed orally by amoxicillin associated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for long periods. After six months of treatment, we observed a favorable outcome with reduction of the swelling, nodules, lymphadenopathy, fistula's number and extension of time of issue of grains. The current follow up is 15 months. The primary cutaneous actinomycosis is still relevant in Morocco.