Thoracopulmonary actinomycosis: the masquerader.
Thoracopulmonary actinomycosis can mimic various lung pathologies such as bronchogenic carcinoma, tuberculosis and fungal pneumonia, to name but a few. The common causative agent is Actinomyces israelii. The disease is successfully diagnosed only if there is a high index of suspicion and a thorough evaluation with multidisciplinary involvement. We present a case of thoracopulmonary actinomycosis in a young immunocompetent man who did not have any predisposing illness, and who was treated initially for pulmonary tuberculosis. He showed good response to injection crystalline penicillin, which was later changed to oral amoxicillin.
Prabhu
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Department of Skin and STD, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Udupi, Karnataka, India. smithaprabhu@msn.com
Sripathi
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H
Rao
R
R
Hameed
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S
D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010404:Penicillin V / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010400:Penicillin G; D010404:Penicillin V