Actinomicosis pélvica invasiva: un desafío para el ginecólogo / Invasive pelvic actinomycosis: a challenge for the gynecologist

Resumen La actinomicosis pélvica es una infección bacteriana supurativa crónica, producida por especies de Actinomyces, principalmente Actinomyces israelii, que afecta el aparato genital interno y las estructuras vecinas, asociada al uso prolongado de dispositivo intrauterino sin control en casi la totalidad de los casos descritos en mujeres. La actinomicosis pélvica suele presentarse como un absceso tubo-ovárico y con menor frecuencia como una actinomicosis pélvica invasiva (API). La API se propaga por contigüidad desde el aparato genital hacia las vísceras adyacentes, originando un tumor pélvico difuso, de consistencia leñosa, pseudotumoral, que a menudo se confunde con una neoplasia pélvica. La API representa un gran desafío para el ginecólogo por las dificultades en su diagnóstico y manejo. Se presentan dos casos de API y se revisan los procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos recomendados actualmente para el enfrentamiento de esta patología.

Abstract Pelvic actinomycosis (PA) is a chronic suppurative bacterial infection, produced by Actinomyces, mainly Actinomyces israelii. It affects the internal genital tract, adjacent structures and is associated with a prolonged intrauterine device use with an inadequate control in almost all described cases in women. Pelvic actinomycosis usually presents as a tube ovarian abscess and less frequently as invasive pelvic actinomycosis (IPA). The IPA spreads contiguously from the genital tract to adjacent viscera, causing a diffuse, woody, pseudotumoral pelvic tumor that is frequently confused with a pelvic neoplasm. The IPA represents a great challenge for the gynecologist due to the difficulties in the diagnosis and management of this disease. Two cases of IPA are presented and the currently recommended diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for dealing with this pathology are reviewed.

Actinomicosis pélvica: a propósito de un caso que simula un tumor de recto / Pelvic actinomycosis: from a case that simulates rectal tumor

Resumen Introducción: La actinomicosis, es una infección crónica rara producida por bacterias del género Actinomyces sp. La afectación pélvica es una de sus formas más infrecuentes y en gran parte de los casos se relaciona al uso de un dispositivo intrauterino de larga data o a una cirugía previa. Como otras enfermedades raras, la infección es conocida como "la gran imitadora" por su variada forma de presentación y particular comportamiento pudiendo simular una neoplasia. El tratamiento es fundamentalmente médico y de buenos resultados. Caso Clínico: Damos a conocer el caso de una paciente que se presentó con un cuadro compatible con un tumor de recto, pero que resultó ser actinomicosis. El diagnóstico se realizó en base a la tinción de Gram, el cuadro clínico y el antecedente de un dispositivo intrauterino abandonado por más de 25 años. Fue corroborado posteriormente mediante anatomía patológica y tratada en forma exitosa con antibióticos por un periodo extendido. Conclusión: Si bien la actinomicosis es una patología infrecuente, debe ser considerada en el diagnóstico diferencial de los pacientes que se presentan con tumores de la pelvis. Un alto índice de sospecha y una actitud diagnóstica activa son fundamentales para un tratamiento oportuno, seguro y eficaz de esta enfermedad.

Introduction: Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection caused by bacterias of the genus Actinomyces sp. Pelvic involvement is one of its most infrequent forms and in many cases it is related to the use of a longstanding intrauterine device or a previous surgery. Like other rare diseases, the infection is known as "the great imitator" because of its varied form of presentation and its particular behavior, which can simulate a neoplasm. The treatment is fundamentally medical with good results. Case Report: We present the case of a patient who presented with a rectal tumor but that turned out to be Actinomycosis. The diagnosis was made based on the Gram stain, the clinical presentation and the history of an intrauterine device left for more than 25 years. It was subsequently corroborated by pathological anatomy and successfully treated with antibiotics for an extended period. Conclusion: Although actinomycosis is an infrequent pathology, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with tumors of the pelvis. An active diagnostic attitude and a high index of suspicion are fundamental for the timely, safe and effective treatment of this disease.

Actinomicosis esofágica en pacientes con infección por VIH / Esophageal actinomycosis in patients with HIV infection

La patología esofágica es común en pacientes con VIH, frecuentemente debido a Candida, citomegalovirus o virus herpes simple. Sin embargo, la actinomicosis esofágica es una infección rara, incluso en pacientes con infección VIH. Reportamos el caso en un paciente varón de 33 años, con diagnóstico reciente de VIH que acudió a consulta por fiebre, odinofagia, disfagia y dolor retroesternal. La endoscopia digestiva alta evidenció múltiples úlceras esofágicas y el informe histopatológico de la biopsia esofágica describió una esofagitis crónica con presencia de colonias de bacilos PAS positivos, compatibles con Actinomyces, iniciando tratamiento antimicrobiano con evolución favorable. Aunque es una enfermedad no común, cerca de un tercio de los casos de actinomicosis esofágica se presentan en pacientes con infección VIH, y es preciso el estudio endoscópico con toma de biopsia para definir el diagnóstico y manejo apropiado.

Esophageal pathology is common in patients with HIV, frequently due to Candida, cytomegalovirus or herpes virus. However, esophageal actinomycosis is a rare infection, even in patients with HIV. We report the case of a 33-year-old male patient, with a recent diagnosis of HIV who was admitted for fever, odynophagia, dysphagia and retrosternal pain. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy evidenced multiple esophageal ulcers and the histopathological report of the esophageal biopsy described a chronic esophagitis with colonies of PAS positive bacilli, compatible with Actinomyces, initiating favorable antimicrobial therapy. Although it is an uncommon disease, about one-third of cases of esophageal actinomycosis occur in patients with HIV infection, and endoscopic biopsies are required to define diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

A rare and an unusually delayed presentation of orbital actinomycosis following avulsion injury of the scalp.

We report a rare case of orbital swelling presenting one year after head trauma. An initial fine needle aspiration cytology revealed it to be an infected organizing hematoma. However, broad-spectrum antibiotics did not resolve the infection and the orbital lesion continued to grow in size, as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Incisional biopsies were done, which were reported as orbital actinomycosis. Patient has responded well to treatment with penicillin. This case is of interest due to the delayed presentation of an orbital complication of head trauma and the rare infection with actinomyces. It also highlights the importance of using appropriate antibiotics, as well as the need for long-term treatment.

Enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica por Actinomyces y Síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (SIDA) / Pelvic inflammatory disease from Actinomyces and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

La enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica en la actualidad debe sospecharse en toda mujer en edad fértil y sexualmente activa, es más frecuente y agresiva en la adolescencia. El actinomyces iraelli posee formas de presentación disimiles, lo que entorpece su diagnóstico, llega a la formación de abscesos con expansión física de un órgano encapsulado. El sida, enfermedad inmunodepresora, es capaz de facilitar y enmascarar cualquier proceso infeccioso, por lo que ante las dos circunstancias anteriores debemos pensar en esta posibilidad diagnóstica. El caso que presentamos comienza con una pequeña tumoración que después se agranda, acompañada de un cortejo sintomático respiratorio, vaso oclusivo y toma del estado general, se realiza el diagnóstico presuntivo y se impone tratamiento para el actinomyces, mejorando abruptamente toda sintomatología, llega más tarde el diagnóstico de ser portador del sida. Conclusión: siempre debemos sospechar ante una enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica en cualquiera de sus formas clínicas, la presencia del actinomyces como uno de los posibles gérmenes causales, sobre todo en pacientes con enfermedades inmunosupresoras como el sida

The pelvic inflammatory illness at the present time debit side to suspect in all woman in fertile and sexually active age, being more frequent and more aggressive in the adolescence The actinomyces iraelli possesses forms of presentation dissimilar, what hinders its diagnosis arriving to the formation of abscesses with physical expansion of an encapsulated organ. The AIDS illness inmunodepresora, is able to mask any infectious process, for what we should think of this diagnostic possibility before the 2 previous circumstances. the case that we present begins with a small tumor that later enlarges, accompanied by a breathing symptomatic retinue, occulsive glass and taking of the general state, he/she is carried out the I diagnose presumptive and empiric treatment is imposed for the actinomyces, improving all sintomatología abruptly, arriving but it takes the I diagnose of being carrier of the AIDS. Conclusion: we should. Always suspect before any Pelvic Inflammatory Illness in anyone in their clinical ways the presence of illnesses inmunosupresoras like the AIDS and the presence of the actinomyces inside their causal germs

Actinomicose cutânea primária do pé simulando neoplasia de partes moles: relato de caso / Primary cutaneous actinomycosis of the foot mimicking a soft tissue neoplasm: a case report

Relatamos um caso de actinomicose cutânea primária do pé simulando neoplasia de partes moles, com revisão da literatura sobre sua incidência, aspectos clínicos, patológicos e de imagem. Utilizamos radiografias simples, ressonância magnética e estudo anatomopatológico. A importância do estudo se deve à raridade da enfermidade, localização atípica e, particularmente, ao diagnóstico diferencial com neoplasia de partes moles.

We report a case of a patient with primary cutaneous actinomycosis of the foot mimicking a soft tissue neoplasm. A literature review on the incidence, clinical features, pathology and imaging findings is also presented. The plain films and magnetic resonance imaging findings and the pathology results are presented. This paper reports a rare disease occurring in an atypical location, simulating a soft tissue neoplasm.

delkon shield forgot responsible of actinomycosis infection

The authors report a case of a Dalkon Shield, forgot in a 55 years old patient, responsible for actinomycosis infection. Basing on a review of the literature, diagnostic methods and management of this kind of complication are discussed

Actinomicosis bronquial primaria y cuerpo extraño / Primary bronchial actinomycosis and foreign body

This paper presents the fourth case reported on the association of primary bronchial actinomycosis and foreign body. The pathogenesis of this rare association has been linked to the low respiratory tract and a foreign body (chicken bone); it depends on its characteristics and how long it has remained lodged into the bronchial tree. The diagnosis of this case was very difficult and late. Several endoscopy procedures were required in order to detect it. Our patient has been treated successfully with parenteral penicillin in association with an original bronchoscopic procedure using a laser technique to find the foreign body and take it out of the respiratory tract. We consider that it is necessary to remember this association in every patient who suffers from recurrent pneumonia, in those who are at risk of foreign body aspiration and when the presence of an endobronchial mass is suspected.

Actinomicose do sistema nervoso central: uma rara complicaçäo da actinomicose cervicofacial / Actinomycosis of the central nervous system: a rare complication of cervicofacial actinomycosis

A actinomicose do sistema nervoso central (SNC) é afecçäo rara, caracterizada pela formaçäo de absesso único e de evoluçäo crônica. Os autores descrevem o caso de um paciente jovem, imunocompetente, com actinomicose cerebral oriunda de foco primário cervicofacial, submetido a ressecçäo cirúrgica e antibioticoterapia. Ressalta-se a importância do conhecimento da entidade e de suas principais formas de acometimento, como a base do diagnóstico precoce dessa enfermedade potencialmente curável e de bom prognóstico

Actinomycosis of the uterus.

A 59 year old woman with actinomycosis of the uterus is described. This is the first such case to be reported in Sri Lanka.

Histological and microbiological aspects of Actinomycetoma cases in Venezuela

Os autores, em um período de 10 anos (1976/1986) realizaram um estudo clínico, histopatológico e micológico em 47 casos de actinomicetoma. Os agentes etiológicos isolados foram: Actinomadura madurae - 20 casos (42,5%); Nocardia brasiliensis - 13 casos (27,6%); Nocardia spp - 7 casos (14,8%); Streptomyces somaliensis - 4 casos (8,5%); Nocardia asteroides - 2 casos (4,2%) e N. otitidis caviarum (N. caviae) - 1 caso (2,1%). A maioria dos casos procedia de zona rural, prevalecendo a infecçäo no sexo masculino (4:1). A idade dos pacientes variou de 18 a 80 anos. Dos 47 casos registrados, 24 foram observados no Estado de Lara, representando 51% do total das observaçöes