Actinomyces viscosus causing disseminated disease in a patient on methotrexate

Abstract

Actinomycosis is an uncommon infectious disease caused predominantly by Actinomyces israelii. Actinomycosis usually involves the cervicofacial, thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic region, dissemination is uncommon. Actinomyces viscosus are commensal organisms that make up the normal flora of the oropharynx of humans and has rarely been reported to cause disease. Here, we report a unique case of disseminated actinomycosis with lung and brain lesions caused by Actinomyces viscosus resembling lung cancer with metastasis in a 74 year old male. Cultures from skin lesions confirmed A. viscosus. Although the patient was immunocompromised, antibiotic treatment with a penicillin-based regimen was effective.

Alterations in Gut Microbiota of Patients With COVID-19 During Time of Hospitalization

“…We also identified an opportunistic pathogen of the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, A. viscosus, in the gut of patients with COVID-19. 38 Its presence suggests the passage or transmission of extra-intestinal microbes into the gut.…”

A sticky situation: a case of <i>Actinomyces viscosus</i> vertebral osteomyelitis

“…This was notably demonstrated in a case of prosthetic hip joint infection (Cohen et al, 1993). This dependable response to penicillin is critical knowledge for severe cases of Actinomyces viscosus, as disseminated infection or opportunistic involvement in transplant and other immunocompromised patients may present significant danger if left treated ineffectively (Vega et al, 2017;Habib et al, 2018). In our case, ceftriaxone was chosen for its more favorable dosing and also due to insurance concerns related to coverage of a pump for IV penicillin.…”

Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals the Progression of COVID-19

“…Many pathogens and opportunistic pathogens were enriched in the intestinal microbiome of patients with COVID-19, including Clostridium, Bacteroides nordii , and Actinomyces viscosus . Research on the oral and upper respiratory microbiome of patients with the COVID-19 also found an increase in the abundance of the opportunistic pathogen Actinomyces viscosus ( Habib et al., 2018 ). Even after the clearance of SARS-CoV-2 (as determined by a throat swab) and relief of respiratory symptoms, depleted symbionts, and intestinal dysbiosis persisted.…”