Pulmonary Actinomycosis, A Lesson Learned Story

Abstract

The bacteria Actinomyces spp. a gram-positive bacteria responsible for the actinomycosis disease. Its 15–20% pulmonary presentation is generally chronic, progresses slowly, and might be misinterpreted as lung cancer or other long-term conditions. We describe a man in his 60s with weight loss and dyspnea. The presence of Actinomyces spp. was identified in a bronchial biopsy of the middle lobe, ruling out lung cancer as the initial diagnostic possibility. After a month of intravenously administered antibiotic treatment, the patient experienced bronchiectasis. Pulmonary actinomycosis should be considered since it is challenging to detect and sometimes mistaken for lung neoplasia or TB due to its comparable clinical and radiographic presentations. The prognosis of pulmonary actinomycosis (PA) is favorable, and it is feasible to avoid recurring complications with the correct antibiotic treatment.