Actinomycosis: Mimicking Malignancies in Multiple Anatomical Sites—A Three-Patient Case Series
<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Actinomycosis is a rare chronic contagion caused by <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. known for its ability to mimic malignant processes across various anatomical locations. Its clinical presentation can often resemble malignancies, <i>Mycobacter...
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2025-02-01
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| author | John Fernando Montenegro Vanessa Correa Forero Yamil Liscano Andres Grueso Pineda Diana Marcela Bonilla Bonilla Paola Andrea Ruiz Jimenez |
| author_facet | John Fernando Montenegro Vanessa Correa Forero Yamil Liscano Andres Grueso Pineda Diana Marcela Bonilla Bonilla Paola Andrea Ruiz Jimenez |
| author_sort | John Fernando Montenegro |
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| description | <i>Background and Objectives:</i> Actinomycosis is a rare chronic contagion caused by <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. known for its ability to mimic malignant processes across various anatomical locations. Its clinical presentation can often resemble malignancies, <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> infections, nocardiosis, fungal infections, or other granulomatous diseases. This case series presents three patients diagnosed with <i>Actinomyces</i> spp., highlighting the diagnostic challenges and diverse clinical manifestations of the disease. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> We reviewed the clinical course, diagnostic procedures, and treatment outcomes of three patients with confirmed <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. The first case involved a 51-year-old male with a history of rhabdomyosarcoma in remission who presented with dysphagia. Magnetic resonance imaging identified an irregularly enhancing mass in the tonsil, and subsequent tonsillectomy confirmed <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. The second patient, an 80-year-old female, presented with dysphagia and a sublingual mass initially suspected to be diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma; however, a histopathological analysis confirmed <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. The third case involved a 72-year-old male with abdominal pain and an ulcerated gastric lesion, where subtotal gastrectomy and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. <i>Results:</i> These three cases highlight the ability of <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. to closely mimic malignant lesions, which significantly complicates the diagnostic process. Although personalized interventions were required for each patient, diagnoses were ultimately confirmed through histopathology. Despite these challenges, timely recognition and appropriate treatment were achieved, underscoring the need to consider <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. in the differential diagnosis of similar presentations. <i>Conclusions:</i><i>Actinomyces</i> spp. remains a diagnostic challenge due to its ability to mimic a variety of malignant and contagion conditions. This case series emphasizes the need for a thorough histopathological examination and a high index of suspicion when encountering lesions with atypical presentations. Given the potential for misdiagnosis, awareness and consideration of <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. are crucial in the differential diagnosis of chronic contagion and mass lesions. Further studies are warranted to refine diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-efca4fd6c02f4b2693f004dc1ed10e54 |
| institution | DOAJ |
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| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-efca4fd6c02f4b2693f004dc1ed10e542025-08-20T02:44:56ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-02-0161225610.3390/medicina61020256Actinomycosis: Mimicking Malignancies in Multiple Anatomical Sites—A Three-Patient Case SeriesJohn Fernando Montenegro0Vanessa Correa Forero1Yamil Liscano2Andres Grueso Pineda3Diana Marcela Bonilla Bonilla4Paola Andrea Ruiz Jimenez5Specialization in Internal Medicine, Department of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 5183000, ColombiaSpecialization in Internal Medicine, Department of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 5183000, ColombiaSpecialization in Internal Medicine, Department of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 5183000, ColombiaSpecialization in Internal Medicine, Department of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 5183000, ColombiaSpecialization in Internal Medicine, Department of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 5183000, ColombiaSpecialization in Internal Medicine, Department of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 5183000, Colombia<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Actinomycosis is a rare chronic contagion caused by <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. known for its ability to mimic malignant processes across various anatomical locations. Its clinical presentation can often resemble malignancies, <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> infections, nocardiosis, fungal infections, or other granulomatous diseases. This case series presents three patients diagnosed with <i>Actinomyces</i> spp., highlighting the diagnostic challenges and diverse clinical manifestations of the disease. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> We reviewed the clinical course, diagnostic procedures, and treatment outcomes of three patients with confirmed <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. The first case involved a 51-year-old male with a history of rhabdomyosarcoma in remission who presented with dysphagia. Magnetic resonance imaging identified an irregularly enhancing mass in the tonsil, and subsequent tonsillectomy confirmed <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. The second patient, an 80-year-old female, presented with dysphagia and a sublingual mass initially suspected to be diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma; however, a histopathological analysis confirmed <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. The third case involved a 72-year-old male with abdominal pain and an ulcerated gastric lesion, where subtotal gastrectomy and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. <i>Results:</i> These three cases highlight the ability of <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. to closely mimic malignant lesions, which significantly complicates the diagnostic process. Although personalized interventions were required for each patient, diagnoses were ultimately confirmed through histopathology. Despite these challenges, timely recognition and appropriate treatment were achieved, underscoring the need to consider <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. in the differential diagnosis of similar presentations. <i>Conclusions:</i><i>Actinomyces</i> spp. remains a diagnostic challenge due to its ability to mimic a variety of malignant and contagion conditions. This case series emphasizes the need for a thorough histopathological examination and a high index of suspicion when encountering lesions with atypical presentations. Given the potential for misdiagnosis, awareness and consideration of <i>Actinomyces</i> spp. are crucial in the differential diagnosis of chronic contagion and mass lesions. Further studies are warranted to refine diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/2/256actinomycescontagionmalignancyneoplasiagranulomatosispathology |
| spellingShingle | John Fernando Montenegro Vanessa Correa Forero Yamil Liscano Andres Grueso Pineda Diana Marcela Bonilla Bonilla Paola Andrea Ruiz Jimenez Actinomycosis: Mimicking Malignancies in Multiple Anatomical Sites—A Three-Patient Case Series Medicina actinomyces contagion malignancy neoplasia granulomatosis pathology |
| title | Actinomycosis: Mimicking Malignancies in Multiple Anatomical Sites—A Three-Patient Case Series |
| title_full | Actinomycosis: Mimicking Malignancies in Multiple Anatomical Sites—A Three-Patient Case Series |
| title_fullStr | Actinomycosis: Mimicking Malignancies in Multiple Anatomical Sites—A Three-Patient Case Series |
| title_full_unstemmed | Actinomycosis: Mimicking Malignancies in Multiple Anatomical Sites—A Three-Patient Case Series |
| title_short | Actinomycosis: Mimicking Malignancies in Multiple Anatomical Sites—A Three-Patient Case Series |
| title_sort | actinomycosis mimicking malignancies in multiple anatomical sites a three patient case series |
| topic | actinomyces contagion malignancy neoplasia granulomatosis pathology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/2/256 |
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