Actinomycosis, a pathology that deserves to be more closely considered. Presentation of three cases

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Published: Apr 25, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21676/2389783X.6216
Keywords:
Actinomyces, Opportunistic infections, Actinomycosis, Amoxicillin
Actinomycosis, a pathology that deserves to be more closely considered. Presentation of three cases

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Emily Johanna Hernández-Aguilar
Universidad de Cartagena
Isabella Leones-Gómez
Universidad de Cartagena
Manuel Petro-Márquez
Universidad de Cartagena
Bernarda Cuadrado-Cano
Universidad de Cartagena
William Caicedo-Ruiz
Universidad de Cartagena

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a rare infection caused by Actinomyces spp. It is an opportunistic, suppurative, granulomatous disease with a chronic course and variable presentation. We present three of 11 cases reported at a referral hospital in Cartagena, Colombia, which were confirmed by pathology. The patients, a woman and two men, aged between 50 and 61 years, presented pulmonary, bone, and abdominal lesions; the first two with a fistulous tract. Neither case presented cervicofacial lesions. The patients received oral amoxicillin for 12 months and did not experience recurrence. The diagnosis of actinomycosis is a medical challenge, as it is a rare disease and, given its chronicity, leads to suspicion of a tumor rather than an infectious disease. Clinical suspicion, along with the use of anaerobic culture and biopsy, are essential.

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How to Cite
Hernández-Aguilar, E. J., Leones-Gómez, I., Petro-Márquez, M., Cuadrado-Cano, B., & Caicedo-Ruiz, W. (2025). Actinomycosis, a pathology that deserves to be more closely considered. Presentation of three cases. Duazary, 22, e6216. https://doi.org/10.21676/2389783X.6216
Issue
Vol. 22 (2025): Continuous edition
Section
Clinical report
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