title: Actinomycosis as a rare cause of vertebral osteolysis.
abstract: Actinomycosis is an uncommon entity caused by an anaerobic bacterium, Actinomyces species, most often Actinomyces israelii. We present a patient who suffered from progressive lumbar pain and high fever. Actinomycosis infection was diagnosed after extensive radiological and pathological evaluation. Treatment with i.v. ampicillin was started, followed by oral antibiotics for one year. This paper gives an overview of the different clinical presentations of actinomycosis infection, with special attention to the skeletal involvement. We also discuss diagnosis and treatment. The clinical picture can mimic several other conditions, such as lymphomas. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can significantly worsen the condition of the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Allergology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat, 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Driessche
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Ranst
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Offel
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Schepper
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Marck
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: De Clerck
mesh_terms: D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000145:classification*; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy