Infecciones abdominales por Actinomyces odontolyticus: comunicación de dos casos

Resumen Actinomyces spp es una familia de bacilos grampositivos saprofíticos que rara vez producen infecciones en el ser humano. Actinomyces odontolyticus forma parte de la microbiota oral y existen escasos reportes de casos de infecciones asociadas a este microorganismo, principalmente de localización oral, torácica, pélvica y bacteremias. Estas infecciones se caracterizan por ser recidivantes y causar abscesos y trayectos fistulosos. Su aislamiento microbiológico es difícil ya que la mayoría de los equipos automatizados no identifican la especie de Actinomyces, por lo que técnicas como MALDI-TOF MS resulta de gran ayuda en el diagnóstico definitivo. Finalmente, el tratamiento antibacteriano debe ser prolongado, acompañado del drenaje quirúrgico de las colecciones. Presentamos dos casos de infección abdominal recurrente por A. odontolyticus, en pacientes inmunocompetentes, con tratamiento exitoso.

Abstract Actinomyces spp is a family of saprophytic gram-positive rods that rarely cause infections in humans. Actinomyces odontolyticus is part of the oral microbiota and there are few case reports of infections associated, mainly oral, thoracic, pelvic involvement and bacteremia. These infections are characterized by being recurrent and causing abscesses and fistulous tracts. Microbiological isolation of the microorganism is difficult because most of the automated identification equipment does not detect the Actinomyces species. The use of identification techniques such as MALDI-TOF MS is a great help in the definitive diagnosis. Finally, antibacterial treatment should be prolonged, and accompanied by surgical drainage of the collections. We report two cases of recurrent abdominal infection by A. odontolyticus, in immunocompetent patients, with successful treatment.

Abdominal Actinomycosis misdiagnosed as liposarcoma

Actinomycosis is an uncommon, endogenous, and chronic infection with varied and nonspecific clinical features such as abdominal, pelvic or cervical masses, ulcerative lesions, abscesses, draining fistula, fibrosis, and constitutional symptoms. The disease ensues when the bacteria disrupt the mucosal barrier, invade, and spread throughout interfascial planes. Currently, the diagnosis of actinomycosis is challenging because of its very low frequency and depending on the clinical presentation it may masquerade malignancies. Therapy consists initially in intravenous penicillin, followed by an oral regimen that may be extended until a year of treatment. A timely diagnosis is crucial to avoid extensive therapeutic attempt as surgery. However, a biopsy or drainage of abscesses and fistula's tract may be required not only as a diagnostic procedure as part of the therapy. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman with an abdominal mass initially misdiagnosed as a liposarcoma. A second biopsy of a skin lesion of the abdominal wall made the diagnosis of actinomycosis, avoiding a major surgical procedure. The patient was treated with a long-term course of antibiotics with favorable outcome. Liposarcoma was ruled out after the patient's full recovery with antibiotics and the misdiagnosis was credit to the overconfidence on the immunohistochemical positivity to MDM2.

Pelvic inflammatory disease by actinomyces: report of 1 case and review of the literature

Actinomycosis is a chronic disease that is characterized by the formation of abscesses, fistulas and dense fibrous tissue at the site of involvement. Its distribution is worldwide. However, pelvic actinomycosis has increased in frequency and has been associated with abdominal surgery, intestinal perforation or trauma, due to the destruction of the muscular barrier. The clinical elements of suspicion are the latency of months and even years of symptoms and the history of being a carrier of an intrauterine device. Actinomyces israelli is a rare etiological agent of pelvic inflammatory disease, so it is difficult to reach the diagnosis. A case report is made of a 48-year-old patient with an intrauterine device older than 5 years, who entered the emergency department with abdominal pain syndrome and 7-day evolutionary fever accompanied by dyspareunia. She was hospitalized for antibiotic treatment, presenting an unsatisfactory evolution, with increased leukocytosis and persistent abdominal pain. An exploratory laparotomy with abdominal hysterectomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was pelvic inflammatory disease due to actinomyces. We must always suspect in the presence of a pelvic inflammatory disease in any of its clinical forms, the presence of actinomyces as one of the possible causative germs, especially in patients with intrauterine device for more than 5 years.

Clinical Features of Abdominal Actinomycosis: A 15-year Experience of A Single Institute

This study was designed to evaluate the clinical features of abdominal actinomycosis and to assess its therapeutic outcome. We reviewed patients with abdominal actinomycosis in Seoul St. Mary hospital, between January 1994 and January 2010. Twenty-three patients (5 male and 18 female, mean age, 47.8 yr; range, 6-75 yr), with abdominal actinomycosis were included. Emergency surgery was performed in 50% due to symptoms of peritonitis. The common presentation on preoperative computerized tomography was a mass with abscess, mimicking malignancy. The mean tumor size was 7.0 cm (range, 2.5-10.5). In all patients, actinomycotic masses were surgically removed. Mean duration of hospital stay was 17.8 days (range, 5-49). Long term oral antibiotic treatment (mean 4.2 months; range, 0.5-7.0 months) were administered to all patients. All patients were free of recurrence after a median follow up of 30.0 months (mean 35.5 +/- 14.8 months, range, 10.0-70.0 months); recurrence was not seen in any patient. In conclusion, abdominal actinomycosis should be included as a differential diagnosis when an unusual abdominal mass or abscess presents on abdominal CT. Assertive removal of necrotic tissue with surgical drainage and long term antibiotic treatment provide a good prognosis in patients with actinomycosis.

A Case of Abdominal Actinomycosis Complicated by Hydronephrosis

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative and granulomatous disease caused by Actinomyces species, which normally colonize the mouth, colon, and vagina. Actinomycosis affects any organ and it is histologically characterized by sulfur granule. Most of abdominal actinomycosis develop following appendicitis, diverticulitis or perforated viscus. Abdominal actinomycosis is commonly misdiagnosed as other diseases of intestine because the clinical presentation is non-specific and the radiologic findings mimic tumor. We report a case of abdominal actinomycosis, which initially presented as hydronephrosis and finally diagnosed after laparotomy. Histological findings showed sulfur granules, chronic granulomatous inflammation, and acute inflammatory cells. In our knowledge, this is the first report in Korea of the abdominal actinomycosis associated with appendicitis and complicated with hydronephrosis.

A Case of Abdominal Actinomycosis Complicated by Hydronephrosis

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative and granulomatous disease caused by Actinomyces species, which normally colonize the mouth, colon, and vagina. Actinomycosis affects any organ and it is histologically characterized by sulfur granule. Most of abdominal actinomycosis develop following appendicitis, diverticulitis or perforated viscus. Abdominal actinomycosis is commonly misdiagnosed as other diseases of intestine because the clinical presentation is non-specific and the radiologic findings mimic tumor. We report a case of abdominal actinomycosis, which initially presented as hydronephrosis and finally diagnosed after laparotomy. Histological findings showed sulfur granules, chronic granulomatous inflammation, and acute inflammatory cells. In our knowledge, this is the first report in Korea of the abdominal actinomycosis associated with appendicitis and complicated with hydronephrosis.

Abdominal Actinomycosis Presented as a Periappendiceal Abscess

The anaerobic gram-positive bands, Actinomycosis israelii, are normal inhabitants of the oral cavity but upper intestinal tract of humans and rarely cause disease. Actinomycosis is an infrequent chronic suppurative infection which usually manifests as fistulas and sinuses or as a mass that simulates a pseudo-neoplastic formation. The cervicofacial region is the most common site of the disease, and the abdomen is the second. Abdominal involvement is traditionally often associated with right-sided infection. Herein, two cases of abdominal actinomycosis detected by the pathologist after a surgical operation, are reported. Before the operation, both patients presented with right lower quadrant pain, a palpable mass and leukocytosis. Preoperative abdominal computerized tomography (CT) was performed, followed by surgical intervention under the impression of a periappendiceal abscess. These cases demonstrate that abdominal actinomys should be included in the differential diagnosis when CT shows an infiltrative and inflammatory intraabdominal mass with localized tenderness.

Clinical Analysis of Abdominal Actinomycosis: 8 Cases

PURPOSE: Actinomycosis is still a relatively rare infection, characterized by multiple abscesses, draining sinuses and the appearance of sulfur granules, which are valuable in aiding the diagnosing the discharge of involved tissues. In most instances, the onset of an abdominal disease is preceded by inflammatory or a traumatic incident resulting in the perforation of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Intensive and prolonged antimicrobial therapy, and wide surgical excision of involved tissues are the two general principles of therapy. METHODS: We experienced 8 cases of abdominal actinomycosis after a laparotomy between March 1997 and February 2002. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1) There was a 1: 1 male to female ratio of abdominal actinomycosis, and a mean age of 47 years. 2) The clinical features were different for each involved organ, -but, most of the clinical symptoms were nonspecific to suspect actinomycosis. 3) The frequently involved organs were mainly located lower abdomen, such as the appendix and cecum, sigmoid colon and small bowel. 4) In 60% of the patients, the predisposing factors were identifiable, these being: a previous abdominal operation, IUD and abdominal injury. 5) The preoperative diagnoses included: acute appendicitis, and periappendiceal and intra-abdominal abscesses. The pre-exploratory diagnoses were made by ultrasound and abdominal CT. 6) Explorations were performed in all patients, depending on their diagnosis, to afford the proper surgical treatment and correct diagnosis. After the operation, all the patients were treated with oral antibiotics for long period. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that pre-exploratory cytological or culture studies, with careful history taking, for low abdominal tumors or abscesses may increase the rate of correct diagnosis, as could proper explorations.

A Case of Abdominal Actinomycosis Developed in Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Actinomycosis is a rare chronic suppurative disease caused by actinomyces species, which are normal flora in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, and characterized by formation of sulfur granule. Actinomyces can affect cervicofacial, pulmonary, abdominal and pelvic area. However, abdominal and pelvic inflammations are less frequently observed. Most of abdominal actinomycosis develop after abdominal operation, trauma, inflammatory bowel disease or use of intrauterine devices. The definitive diagnosis was made after histopathological study of the tissues. Treatment is long-term antibiotic therapy. Herein, we report a case of a 69-year-old woman with an unusual form of abdominal actinomycosis after total gastrectomy.

A Case of Abdominal Actinomycosis Confirmed by Colonoscopic Biopsy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Actinomycosis is a chronic pyogenic granulomatous disease, defined as infection caused by gram-positive anaerobic Actinomyces, mainly Actinomyces Israelii. It colonize in human oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, or genital tract of female, and characterized by lesion that secretes sulfur granules. Generally, abdominal actinomycosis shows chronic disease progression without any typical clinical symptoms, sometimes forming an inflammatory mass within the abdominal cavity. Due to this fact, it is frequently mistaken as malignant neoplasm, diagnosed only after operation. We report this case after diagnosing abdominal actinomycosis without an open abdominal surgery ; colonoscopy and biopsy was carried out in a patient with mucosal changes and luminal narrowing of transverse colon on colon study, ultimately diagnosing abdominal actinomycosis without an open abdominal surgery.

Three Cases of Abdominal Actinomycosis

Actinomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous suppurative disease caused by Actinomyces species. Actinomyces is an anaerobic, gram positive organism that requires special techniques for culture and isolation. Actinomycosis is characterized by formation of multiple abscesses, draining sinuses, abundant granulations (sulfur granule) and dense fibrous tissue. The three major clinical presentations include the cervicofacial, thoracic, and abdominal regions. Since A. israelii is a normal inhabitant of the oral cavity, to make a definitive diagnosis it must be recovered from closed tissue spaces, draining sinuses, or abscesses, or it must be shown to be invasive in histopathologic sections. The drug of choice is penicillin. Because of the dense fibrous tissue surrounding the colonies of organisms and the concentration of organisms in clusters, high doses of pharmacologic agents must be used for long periods, and radical surgical excision should accompany antibiotic therapy if possible. We report three cases of abdominal actinomycosis, preoperatively impressed as appendicitis and pelvic abscess, which was diagnosed by a histological study of operative specimens. The possible pathogenic mechanisms causing clinical symptoms are discussed.

Abdominal Actinomycosis Initially Diagnosed As a Colorectal Cancer or Periappendiceal Abscess / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonic actinomycosis is a rare disease with clinical and radiographic findings that overlap those of other inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. We performed this study to analyze clinical manifestation, characteristic radiologic findings of 5 cases of abdominal actinomycosis, which was initially diagnosed as a colorectal cancer or periappendiceal abscess. METHODS: We analyzed chief complaint, predisposing factor, presence of leukocytosis and sulfur granule, involved site, presence of LN involvement and abdominal CT findings, retrospectively. RESULTS: The most common clinical manifestation was abdominal pain. In 3 cases, predisposing factors were identifiable, which were intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD), previous appendectomy, and diabetes mellitus (DM) respectively. Leukocytosis was noted in 4 cases (80%) and sulfur granule in all 5 cases. Sigmoid colon was the most common involved site (4 cases) followed by appendix and rectum. On computed tomography, inhomogeneous mass or severe inflammation along the bowel wall or serosa was noted. Explorations were performed in 4 cases. Preoperative diagnosis was a colorectal cancer in 3 cases and periappendiceal abscess in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Actinomycosis should be born in mind in the differential diagnosis of patients with IUD, previous appendectomy and DM, presenting leukocytosis and CT finding of inhomogeneous mass and relatively uncommon LN involvement to eliminate unnecessary explorations.

A Case of Abdominal Actinomycosis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative and granulomatous disease caused by actinomyces species and caracterized by sulfur granule formation which frequently discharged via draining sinus. Actinomyces can affect cervicofacial, pulmonary, abdominal and pelvic area. Most of abdominal actinomycosis is developed after abdominal operation, trauma or inflammatory bowel disease and it must be differentiated from colon cancer, amaeboma, chronic appendicitis or intestinal tuberculosis. We report a case of abdominal actinomycosis, preoperatively impressed as colon carcinoma, which was diagnosed by histological study of the operative specimen. Adequate surgical excision and drainage procedure followed by administration of massive dose of penicilline for weeks. In this case we noted secondary abscess formation after surgery of primary disease. Herein we present our experience with reviewed literatures.

Clinical Analysis of Actinomycosis: 66 Cases of Korean Experience

Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare entity which presents some difficulty in establishing a correct preoperative diagnosis. The diagnosis is usually based on histologic demonstration of sulfur granules in pus or surgically resected specimen. Treatment has consisted of longterm antibiotic therapy coupled with surgery in complicated cases. The authors analyzed 66 patients of proven abdominal actinomycosis, who consisted of 53 cases previously reported in Korean literatures since 1966 and 13 cases treated at the department of General Surgery, Sae Gang General Hospital since 1990. The results were as follows. 1) Females were more frequently involved. The male to female ratio of abdominal actinomycosis was 1:2.1 and the mean age was 40.3 years-old. 2) Clinical features were different with each involved organ. However, most of the clinical symptoms were nonspecific to suspect actinomycosis. 3) The frequently involved sites were mainly located in the lower abdomen, such as the appendix, omentum, uterus and adnexa, ileocecum, colon, rectum, and small bowel. 4) In 59% of the patients, predisposing factors were identifiable. Identified possible factors were previous appendectomy, IUD, abdominal trauma, abortion, and perforative disorders of the GIT. 5) The preoperative diagnoses were intra-abdominal tumors or abscesses in 67% of the patients. Correct pre-exploratory diagnoses were made in 15% of the patients by using fine needle aspiration cytologic study, culture of drained pus, or direct tissue biopsy. 6) Explorations were performed in 88% of the patients to afford a proper surgical treatment and a correct diagnosis. After operation, almost all patients were treated with oral antibiotics for long periods. The authors conclude that pre-exploratory cytologic or culture study in patients who show uncomplicated low abdominal tumors or abscesses may increase the rate of correct diagnosis and could eliminate unnecessary explorations.