An Actinomyces Long-Bone Osteomyelitis Case Report and Review

Abstract

Historically, anaerobic bacteria as monomicrobial pathogens or components of polymicrobial infections have been found to play a minor role in osteomyelitis. Various Actinomyces species reside as constituents of the normal human microbial flora found in the oropharynx and in the most people may also be present as commensal microorganisms in the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and, to a lesser degree, the upper respiratory tracts. Bone infections due to Actinomyces species are relatively uncommon and usually associated with concomitant cervicofacial disease. To date, only a sparse amount of cases of long bone osteomyelitis due to Actinomyces bacteria have been published in the medical literature. We report a case of monomicrobial subacute late-onset tibia bone osteomyelitis involving Actinomyces presenting 10 years after an open reduction and internal fixation surgical procedure performed to stabilize a traumatic fracture and review actinomycotic osteomyelitis including the rare association of Actinomyces odontolyticus with long bone infections.