Id: 50: perforated diverticulosis complicated with actinomycosis infection and presented as pelvic malignancy

Discussion Actinomycosis is a rare and insidious disease. The most common etiologic organism is the anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium, Actinomyces israelii. Actinomycetes are prominent among the normal flora of the oral cavity but less prominent in the lower gastrointestinal and female genital tract. Because these microorganisms are not virulent, they require a break in the integrity of the mucous membranes and the presence of devitalized tissue to invade deeper body structures and to cause human illness. Cervicofacial actinomycosis is the most common type of the infections followed by Thoracic actinomycosis and less common in abdomen and pelvis. The most common cause of abdominal/pelvic actinomycosis is acute perforated appendicitis. Also, most of Abdomen/Pelvis cases have a history of recent or remote bowel surgery (e.g.perforated appendicitis, perforate colonic diverticulitis). Pelvic actinomycosis has become more common in females who use an Intra-Uterine Devices, which may increase the risk of infection through injury to the normal uterine mucosa. Diagnosis of Abdomen/Pelvic actinomycosis is usually established postoperatively, following exploratory laparotomy for a suspected malignancy. Involvement of any abdominal organ, including the abdominal wall, can occur by direct spread, with eventual formation of draining sinuses. Abstract ID: 50 Figure 1
Source: Journal of Investigative Medicine - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Infectious Disease Source Type: research