Korean J Med.  2010 Nov;79(5):563-568.

Two cases of endobronchial actinomycosis that were cured by bronchoscopic removal and short-term antibiotic therapy

• Jung HM
• Hwang YJ
• Ahn YS
• Youn JS
• Lee MG
• Kim WJ
• Lee EW

Abstract

Actinomycosis is an uncommon, chronic granulomatous, suppurative disease related to Actinomyces israelii, which is a natural inhabitant of the oropharyngeal cavity and the major human pathogen of actinomycosis. In the past, dramatic presentation of thoracic actinomycosis, in conjunction with prominent chest pain and cutaneous fistulas that discharge sulfur granules, has frequently been reported. However, more recent data indicate that chest wall or rib involvement is now much less common than was previously encountered. This could result in more favorable responses to short-term intravenous antibiotic therapy. Foreign-body-associated actinomycosis is a very rare type of thoracic actinomycosis. We report two cases of endobronchial actinomycosis associated with a foreign body. In both cases, the foreign body was successfully removed by bronchoscopy. Each patient was treated with antibiotics for about 70 days. The duration of antibiotic therapy was relatively short, as compared to conventional therapy. Nevertheless, there was no recurrence or complications over 1 year.

Keyword

Endobronchial actinomycosis; Foreign bodies; Short-term therapy; Antibiotics

MeSH Terms

Actinomyces
Actinomycosis
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bronchoscopy
Chest Pain
Cutaneous Fistula
Foreign Bodies
Humans
Recurrence
Ribs
Sulfur
Thoracic Wall
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Sulfur