Coexistence of COVID-19, Pseudomonas, and thoracic actinomycosis in a cystic bronchiectasis case.

Actinomycosis often leads to cervicofacial infections, but thoracic involvement may also occur. However, the development of empyema is rare. While being followed up with the diagnosis of asthma and bronchiectasis, our case was hospitalized for infected bronchiectasis. As empyema developed in the follow-up, the pleural effusion was drained by tube thoracostomy. Actinomycosis was diagnosed through pleural effusion cytology. Growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed in sputum culture, and SARS-CoV2 RT-PCR was also positive in nasopharyngeal sampling. Polymicrobial agents can often be detected in actinomycosis. Actinomycosis cases have also been reported in the post-COVID period. Our case is presented since it would be the first in the literature regarding the coexistence of COVID-19, Pseudomonas, and thoracic Actinomycosis (empyema).

Intra-abdominal actinomycosis-an indolent masquerader of malignancy

Introduction: A 54 years old lady who presented with constitutional symptoms of lethargy, weight loss and asthenia. She had been extensively evaluated for a possible gynaecological malignancy but with no definitive outcome. The symptoms were persistent and a decision had to be made towards Surgery in The present climate of The COVID19 pandemic. Method(s): Following oncology multi disciplinary meeting outcome she was taken up for a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy. She was noted to have an incidental finding of an extensive tumour infiltrating The liver, colon, anterior abdominal wall and The urinary bladder. A surgical resection with ileostomy was performed on suspicion of an underlying malignancy. Result(s): The histopathological diagnosis revealed a picture of actinomycosis which had evaded us previously. Following this she was treated with prolonged course of antibiotics and has recovered well, thus altering our entire management plan. Conclusion(s): Actinomycosis albeit rare is an interesting mimic of tumours. This case also delves into The on-table decision making when in doubt about cancer.

A BLOODY MASQUERADE: A CURIOUS CASE OF HEMOPTYSIS

SESSION TITLE: Variety in Chest Infections Case Posters SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 01:45 pm INTRODUCTION: Actinomyces is a Gram-positive anaerobic and micro aerophilic filamentous bacillus that normally colonize the human mouth and digestive and urogenital tracts. They most commonly cause cervical and abdominopelvic infections and rarely pulmonary actinomycosis. CASE PRESENTATION: 67-year-old female with past medical history of recurrent DVT with IVC filter placement, non- ischemic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, 40 pack year history, recent COVID19 infection, lung nodules & COPD presented with complaint of coughing up blood associated with chest pain for the past 2 days. She had a low-grade fever with stable vitals with preliminary labs showing she was anemic and had reactive leukocytosis. She was recommended to hold oral anticoagulation and follow-up outpatient during when her symptoms worsened. On admission she was started on tranexamic acid nebulization for hemostasis and underwent CTA chest which showed no evidence for pulmonary embolism but commented on a right lower lobe perihilar 12.5 mm mass which has increased in size compared to previous scans. Patient underwent bronchoscopy which showed generalized edema of the tracheobronchial tree with bleeding from superior segment of the right lower lobe bronchus with no visualization of mass. PET scan showed hyper-metabolic lung mass with concerns for malignancy. CT guided biopsy of nodule was done and was not staining for malignant cells, acid fast bacilli with no fungal or bacterial growth. Blood cultures and Karius Digital cultures were also negative. She began expectorating blood clots despite being on treatment and cardiothoracic surgery was consulted. A partial lobectomy with lysis of adhesions of the right lower lobe was done. Specimen sent to pathology showed no evidence for malignancy but instead elicited a contained pulmonary abscess containing filamentous bacteria with parenchymal inflammation with areas of chronic hemorrhagic fibrosing pleuritis and hilar thrombi. She was diagnosed with pulmonary actinomycosis and started on IV 24,000,000 IU penicillin. She underwent a panoramic dental x-ray which was read as suboptimal dentition with multiple missing teeth and did not identify a source. Patient symptoms resolved post lobectomy and since discharged on long course of antibiotics. She continued to have no more episodes of hemoptysis. DISCUSSION: Hemoptysis as a symptom of pulmonary actinomycosis is a rather rare presentation. Actinomycosis causes cavities, nodules, and pleural effusions. It is commonly mistaken for chronic suppurative lung disease and sometimes malignancy. Isolation and identification occur only a minority of cases with a high culture failure rate due to previous antibiotic therapy, inadequate incubation time or culture conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Due to it's variable presentation pulmonary actinomyces has a large overlap with other diseases but must be considered in the differential of unexplained hemoptysis. Reference #1: Hemoptysis secondary to actinomycosis: A rare presentation. PMID: 24778485 PMCID: PMC3999682 DOI: 10.4103/0970-2113.129864 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Victoria Famuyide No relevant relationships by rukhsaar khanam

Case report of actinomycotic liver abscess following COVID-19 infection.

Introduction and importance: In the last few years, the novel coronavirus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), generated a large health care problem worldwide. Due to the immunomodulation effect of the virus the number of opportunistic infections has also increased. Case presentation: We present the unique case of a patient who was diagnosed with an actinomycotic liver abscess after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) without the presence of any chronic disease or mucosal injury. Clinical discussion: According to the results of the computer tomography (CT scan) and the liver biopsy, the patient was treated with antibiotics and ultrasound-guided drainage. Conclusion: With this case we would like to draw attention to the possible occurrence of liver abscesses caused by an opportunistic pathogen following COVID-19.

THE TRUTH THE TEETH TOLD: THE UNUSUAL CASE OF A SUBPHRENIC MASS

CASE: A 75-year-old man with a history of aortic stenosis status post transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), compensated cirrhosis in the setting of alcohol use disorder, and osteoarthritis presented with hyper-acute dyspnea and chest pain that awoke him from sleep. Three years prior to admission, an abdominal computed tomography (CT) for his TAVR evaluation revealed a 2 cm, irregular, peripherally-enhancing mass in the right subphrenic space, most concerning for malignancy but stable in size a year later. Further work-up was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One week prior to this presentation, he returned to care with 6 months of progressive right shoulder pain, pleuritic chest pain, and 5 kg of unintentional weight loss and was found to have growth of the right subphrenic mass to 4.9 cm, for which he underwent interventional radiology-guided aspiration and biopsy from a subxiphoid approach. Pathology on the core biopsy was inconclusive, revealing granulation tissue with chronic inflammatory changes and negative routine cultures. He was hemodynamically stable and discharged home. On admission, he was afebrile, tachypneic to 26, tachycardic to 120, hypotensive to 80/40, and saturating 94% on room air. He was found to have a large pericardial effusion with tamponade physiology, upon which 500 mL of serous fluid was drained via emergent pericardiocentesis. Laparoscopic biopsy of the subphrenic mass revealed a purulent fluid collection. 16S/18S sequencing and MALDI cultures were most consistent with Actinomyces spp. With further history-taking alongside an Italian language interpreter, he was found to have had prior dental abscesses, the likely origin of his Actinomyces infection, although the curious propensity for the subphrenic location remains unknown. Periodontal disease had been diagnosed but not fully treated given lack of insurance coverage and perceived importance. His pericarditis and ensuing tamponade was attributed to irritation and seeding from the subxiphoid approach for attempted fluid aspiration. IMPACT/DISCUSSION: Actinomyces spp. are a part of the normal human gut and oral cavity flora, but when pathogenic, they are often associated with dental, pulmonary, and urinary tract infections. In addition to periodontal disease, this patient's risk factors for Actinomyces abscess formation include cirrhosis (via transient gut translocation from elevated portal pressures) and alcohol use disorder (via increased aspiration risk). There have been several reports of Actinomyces spp. causing pericarditis and tamponade following seeding from liver, lung, and oral cavity abscesses- to our knowledge, however, none from subphrenic abscesses. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of an oral health history in work-up of an indolent growing thoracic mass and the challenges in comprehensive history-taking in patients with limited English proficiency. Increasing coverage of dental services (e.g. a Medicare dental benefit) is key to health and health equity.

Case of maxillary actinomycotic osteomyelitis, a rare post COVID complication-case report.

Introduction: and Importance: Maxillary actinomycosis is a persistent, very rare disease produced by Actinomyces species which may include only soft tissue or bone or the two together. Actinomycotic osteomyelitis of maxilla is very infrequent when compared to mandible. Case presentation: Here we are conferring a case of an elderly male patient who had history of COVID-19 infection 4 months ago, with constant complaint of non-remitting vague pain in the region of maxilla with tooth loosening and extractions. He was given a provisional diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis of maxilla which was later on proved by histopathology as actinomycotic osteomyelitis. Clinical discussion: A saprophytic fungus causes mucor mycosis, and it is quite unusual. Strawberry gingivitis is one of the signs and symptoms. Mucormycosis and post-covid oral maxillofacial problems can be improved with early diagnosis. Oral Mucormycosis should be suspected in individuals with weakened immune systems, uncontrolled diabetes or post-covid instances. Surgery and adequate antibiotic treatment are necessary to treat actinomycosis. Infection may return after a period of inactivity, so long-term follow-up is necessary. Conclusion: We conclude a positive causal association between COVID-19 and actinomycosis. Maxillary osteomyelitis, a very rare infection, and in our case, the causative organism was Actinomyces Patients who have been infected should be tested for Actinomycin, which may masquerade as a head and neck illness.

Mixed Infections (Mucormycosis, Actinomycosis and Candidiasis) Leading to Maxillary Osteomyelitis in a Diabetic Mellitus Patient in Post COVID Phase: First Case Report.

BACKGROUND: The second wave of COVID-19 has emerged with the addition of vivid types of oral manifestations. Immunosuppression caused by COVID-19 results in an exacerbation of pre-existing infections. Recently, in the backdrop of COVID-19 expression, a notable rise in the incidence of secondary infections, both fungal and bacterial, have been reported either during the disease or as a post-COVID manifestation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old male diabetic COVID-19 patient reported with a chief complaint of pain in the right side maxillary region for 3 months and the passage of content from the oral cavity into the nose. Intraoral examination revealed missing teeth i.r.t. 12 to 17, denuded mucosa with exposed necrotic bone and an oroantral opening. Sequestrectomy was done and the tissue was sent for histopathological examination which revealed necrotic bone interspersed with broad aseptate fungal hyphae branched at right angles along with actinomycotic colonies and Candidal hyphae in few areas. Based on histopathological findings, a final diagnosis of mixed infections leading to Maxillary Osteomyelitis was given. No recurrence was noticed after 3 months of follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of oral infections even after the remission period of COVID-19 signifies an alarming sign both for the patient and clinicians monitoring the oral health status during the follow-up period. To our knowledge, this is the first such case (three oral infections as a post covid manifestation in a single diabetic patient) reported in the literature till date.

Pleural empyema caused by Actinomyces turicensis.

Actinomyces turicensis was first identified in 1995. To the best of our knowledge, pleural empyema caused by A. turicensis has never been reported. In the case reported herein, a patient with pleural empyema was treated surgically, and in the bacterial samples, A. turicensis was isolated.