A Case of Central Nervous System Actinomycosis Presenting as Brain Abscess

Abstract

A C a s eo fC e n t r a lNe r v o u sS y s t e m Ac t i n o my c o s i sP r e s e n t i n ga sB r a i nAb s c e s s Actinomyces normally colonizes the mouth, colon, and vagina. Although disruption of mucosa may lead to infection at virtually any site, central nervous system actinomycosis is rare. A 45-year-old man presented with seizure and magnetic resonance imaging showed brain abscess. He was diagnosed with actinomycotic and streptococcal infection of brain by histologic and microbiologic examination. After stereotactic aspiration and biopsy, he was treated successfully by prolonged antibiotic therapy using intravenous penicillin-G and oral amoxicillin.

A Case of Disseminated Infection due toActinomyces meyeriInvolving Lung and Brain

“…Compared to the cases of disseminated actinomycosis due to A. meyeri that have been reported abroad [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ], only few cases of cerebral actinomycosis presenting as brain abscess have been reported in Korea [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. With the exception of the first Korean report of a brain abscess caused by A. meyeri [ 6 ], all Korean cerebral actinomycosis cases were confirmed by the presence of sulfur granules on biopsy, which is a typical finding associated with actinomycosis [ 7 , 8 ]. To our knowledge, this is the first report of disseminated A. meyeri infection.…”

“…A. meyeri often causes pulmonary infection and shows a tendency for hematogenous dissemination [ 3 ]. Compared to the cases of disseminated actinomycosis due to A. meyeri that have been reported abroad [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ], only few cases of cerebral actinomycosis presenting as brain abscess have been reported in Korea [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Here, we report a case of pulmonary actinomycosis with brain abscess caused by A. meyeri resembling lung cancer with brain metastasis.…”

Actinomycotic Brain Abscess Developed 10 Years after Head Trauma

“…Among them, one was found to be a cerebral abscess in a patient with 2 weeks of headache and diplopia, and another in a patient with a recent seizure episode. In these cases, Haemophilus and Streptococcus species were found coinfecting the patient 2,3. The clinical features of CNS actinomycoses in Korea, including the presenting case, seem to be typical.…”

“…Less common sites of actinomycotic infection include the central nervous system (CNS) and musculoskeletal soft tissue. In Korea, only two cases of CNS actinomycoses have been reported 2,3. Herein, we report a rare case of CNS actinomycosis that caused a cerebral abscess.…”