Thoracic Actinomycosis

Thoracic actinomycosis: report of a patient with advanced-stage disease

“…The thoracic disease may also occur by lymphohematogenic dissemination. However, it is rare and usually late [1,2,10,11]. The lower lobes are the most commonly involved.…”

“…Thoracic actinomycosis is generally caused by aspiration of contaminated secretion from the oropharynx or direct extension of cervicofacial or abdominopelvic forms [1,2,4,7,9]. The thoracic disease may also occur by lymphohematogenic dissemination.…”

“…It is a rare disease that attacks men most frequently (3:1), between the fourth and fifth decades of life [4]. Classically, clinical forms involve cervicofacial (55%), abdominopelvic (20%), thoracic (15%) and mixed organs (10%), including skin, brain, pericardium and extremities [1,2,4,5,8].…”

“…These microorganisms are usually commensal in the oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract and female genitals, requiring a portal of entry to cause infection. [1,2,4,8]. It is a rare disease that attacks men most frequently (3:1), between the fourth and fifth decades of life [4].…”

“…Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection caused by species of Actinomyces, characterized by abscess formation, tissue fibrosis, suppurative lesions and fistulas with purulent discharge containing sulphur granules [1][2][3]. Due to its multiform manners of presentation and non-specificity from its clinical features, it has been considered a challenging diagnosis [4][5][6][7].…”