Electronic Journal of Biology

Solitary Pulmonary Nodule, Pulmonary Actinomycosis of Chronic Evolution: A Case Report

Background: Actinomycosis is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Actinomyces. This pathology has different forms of presentation where the thoracic affectation represents 15% of the cases. Clinical case: A 22 year old male patient from the Department of Cortés, Honduras, who was admitted to the clinic with a pneumonic process in 2012, performed a chest tomography with lung lobe lesion, received antibiotic treatment, and transiently improved his Symptomatology being discharged. Due to the persistence of the patient's symptoms in 2015, he referred to the Cardiopulmonary Institute from which the chest x-ray and tomography were performed, which reported right apical mass with characteristics suggestive of neoplastic lesion; Bacteriological studies were negative; bronchoscopy evidenced endobronchial tumor of the right upper lobe. Subsequently, thoracotomy and partial decortication of the lesion were performed. Biopsy reported: lung tissue with altered architecture, fibrotic stroma with separate granules of bacteria compatible with actinomycosis. The treatment with crystalline penicillin was modified showing improvement, was discharged and control appointments. Conclusion: The clinical findings of actinomycosis can be confused with a wide range of clinical entities, it is very important to carry out an adequate approach and differential diagnosis; Timely therapeutic measures provide a favorable prognosis and decrease mortality.

Author(s):

Nereida Aceituno Vidaur, Oscar Alvarenga, Ericson Aceituno Vidaur, Karla Matamoros Vásquez, Jaime Jahaziel Cordón, Alicia Cortez Flores, Rubén Maradiaga Figueroa

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this