Pulmonary actinomycosis during the first decade of 21st century: cases of 94 patients

Abstract

BackgroundPulmonary actinomycosis is a chronic pulmonary infection caused by Actinomyces. Both improving oral hygiene and early application of antibiotics to the case of suspicious pulmonary infections result in changes in incidences and presentations of pulmonary actinomycosis. However, there are little reports dealt with the recent clinical characteristics of pulmonary actinomycosis. This study aimed to review the characteristics of pulmonary actinomycosis occurred during the first decade of 21st century.MethodsThis retrospective study was performed on 94 subjects with pulmonary actinomycosis diagnosed pathologically from January 2000 to December 2010 in 13 hospitals in Korea.ResultsThe data of the study showed that pulmonary actinomycosis occurs frequently in middle to old-aged males (mean age; 57.7 years old) and that the most common symptoms are cough, hemoptysis, and sputum production. Various radiologic features such as the consolidation with central low attenuation (74.5%) and no regional predominance were also observed. Most of patients recovered completely with medical and/or surgical treatment, reaching approximately 98% cure rate.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that pulmonary actinomycosis is one of the cautious pulmonary diseases. More importantly, in cases of persistent hemoptysis or for differential diagnosis from lung malignancy, our data have revealed that surgical resection appears to be a useful intervention and that radiologic diagnosis may not provide decisive information. These findings indicate that it is important for the clinicians to include pulmonary actinomycosis as one of differential diagnoses for refractory pulmonary abnormal lesions to the current usual management.

Actinomicosis torácica: presentación de un caso

“…2 Existen alrededor de 21 especies que afectan al ser humano; la más frecuente es Actinomyces israelii. 3 La forma cervicofacial está favorecida por caries, procedimientos odontológicos, traumatismos, infecciones, cirugía. La torácica se asocia a episodios de aspiración de secreciones y es más frecuente en individuos con trastornos neurológicos o alcohólicos.…”

Empyema and lung abscess: An unusual presentation of pulmonary actinomycosis

“…Antimicrobial therapy is highly effective, particularly with early diagnosis. [10] Pulmonary physicians should consider this diagnosis if the patient has poor oral hygiene and an increased risk of aspiration, as early diagnosis and treatment may prevent future complications, such as abscess formation and empyema.…”

Cerebellar, Lung, Cutaneous and Muscular Abscesses Secondary to Actinomyces meyeri: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…[1][2][3] It develops indurated masses formed by multiple abscesses, woody fibrosis, fistulization and suppuration of characteristic yellowish sulfur granules. 1,2,4 Clinical presentation are multiple. The most common sites of infection are cervico-facial (50%), abdominal (20%), and thoracic (15%).…”

“…17 Disease is more frequent in males than in females (3,1). 17 It has been described in patients with immunodeficiency, but in most patients no underlying disease or immunosuppression is found.…”

“…1,6,7 Culture of bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchoaspirate samples are in appropriate for the diagnosis except for patients with cavitation, as it may represent colonization.…”