Infect Chemother.  2009 Aug;41(4):249-252. 10.3947/ic.2009.41.4.249.

A Case of Central Nervous System Actinomycosis Presenting as Brain Abscess

• Park YM
• Won IS
• Kim JI
• Cho HJ
• Seo JG
• Kim JY
• Kim EY
• Park SH
• Park YS
• Seo YH
• Cho YK

• KMID: 1473677
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3947/ic.2009.41.4.249

Abstract

Actinomyces normally colonizes the mouth, colon, and vagina. Although disruption of mucosa may lead to infection at virtually any site, central nervous system actinomycosis is rare. A 45-year-old man presented with seizure and magnetic resonance imaging showed brain abscess. He was diagnosed with actinomycotic and streptococcal infection of brain by histologic and microbiologic examination. After stereotactic aspiration and biopsy, he was treated successfully by prolonged antibiotic therapy using intravenous penicillin-G and oral amoxicillin.

Keyword

Actinomycosis; Brain abscess; Central nervous system

MeSH Terms

Actinomyces
Actinomycosis
Amoxicillin
Biopsy
Brain
Brain Abscess
Central Nervous System
Colon
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Mouth
Mucous Membrane
Seizures
Streptococcal Infections
Vagina
Amoxicillin

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Initial magnetic resonance imaging. (A) 2.2×1.8cm sized mass lesion, iso-signal intensity on T1 weighted image and (B) peripheral low signal intensity on T2 weighted image with peripheral enhancement on right frontal lobe with internal non-enhancing necrotic portion is observed.

• 

  Figure 2 Microscopic finding shows sulfur granules from brain tissue (Hematoxylin-eosin stain. ×400).

• 

  Figure 3 Computed tomography after 13 weeks of antibiotic therapy. Brain abscess has nearly disappeared.

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