Thoracic Actinomycosis: A Rare Occurrence

A rare diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis by bronchoalveolar lavage cytology

The role of a bronchoalveolar lavage sample cell block in the diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis.

A Rare Bug and Recurrent Bleed

Isolated pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare entity. Its clinical features and radiological findings are nonspecific, making early diagnosis difficult for clinicians. We report a case of 40-year-old nonsmoker, immunocompetent male without an underlying structural lung disease who presented to us with recurrent hemoptysis and was diagnosed to have Actinomycosis after multiple readmissions.

Esophageal Stricture Caused by Actinomyces in a Patient with No Apparent Predisposing Factors

Actinomyces species are Gram positive anaerobic or microaerophilic bacteria that are part of the human flora in the oropharyngeal, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tract. In the presence of a mucosal injury, they can become pathogenic and infect the underlying tissue without respect for tissue planes, leading to abscesses, fistulas, and sinus tracts. Through contiguous and hematogenous spread, virtually any organ can become infected. The presentation can be myriad and often mimics tumors, tuberculosis, or other more common infections and inflammatory conditions. While the cervicofacial region is the most common site of infection, involvement of the esophagus is unusual. Esophageal actinomycosis mostly occurs in patients with compromised immunity or prior esophageal injuries. Occurrence in immunocompetent individuals without risk factors is exceedingly rare. We report a case of esophageal actinomycosis complicated by an esophageal stricture in a patient with no apparent predisposing conditions.

Pulmonary actinomycosis diagnosed by transbronchoscopic lung biopsy: A case report and literature review

Pulmonary actinomycosis is a chronic, suppurative, granulomatous disease caused by Actinomyces israelii, an obligate anaerobe. The clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics of pulmonary actinomycosis lack specificity and can lead to confusion with tuberculosis and lung cancer. The present study reported a case of pulmonary actinomycosis diagnosed by transbronchoscopic lung biopsy and reviewed the literature on the disease. The clinical characteristics, signs, laboratory findings as well as progression, diagnosis and treatment in the case of pulmonary actinomycosis were analyzed. The patient was diagnosed by transbronchoscopic lung biopsy. After two weeks of antibiotic therapy, the cough was significantly improved and the patient's temperature returned to normal. Moreover, the lesion in the left lower lung was significantly smaller. Pulmonary actinomycosis is usually confused for tuberculosis and lung cancer. The present findings indicated that transbronchoscopic lung biopsy is a useful tool for diagnosing the disease. To conclude, doctors should have a clear enough understanding of the disease to prescribe empirical antibiotics and avoid unnecessary surgery.