Pulmonary Actinomycosis in a 65-Year-Old Female with Poor Oral Dentition

Abstract

Pulmonary actinomycosis is an uncommon clinical entity that can be challenging to diagnose due to its non-specific symptomatology. Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment may result in invasive procedures and extended antimicrobial treatment courses. We report a case involving a 65-year-old female with poor oral dentition admitted for acute respiratory failure subsequently found to have a left-sided pleural effusion and perihepatic abscess formation. Cytopathology examination and microbiology studies confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis.

Keywords

• actinomyces
• actinomycosis
• pulmonary actinomycosis
• thoracic actinomycosis