Actinomyces neuii infection following ovarian cystectomy

Abstract

Background: Abdominal Actinomyces infections are rare complications of surgery. A case of Actinomyces neuii presenting as a severe postoperative pelvic infection is described. Case: A 30 year-old nulligravid female was transferred from an outside hospital for a postoperative fluid collection, fever, leukocytosis, and abdominal pain following exploratory laparotomy and bilateral ovarian cystectomy. She rapidly decompensated requiring emergent exploratory laparotomy, bilateral salpingooophorectomy, and abdominal washout. Cultures isolated A. neuii. Following a prolonged ICU admission, she was treated with prolonged antibiotics and made a complete recovery. Conclusions: Rare pathogens, such as A. neuii, may cause severe infections following gynecologic surgery. Multidisciplinary care at tertiary care facilities is critical.