Journal of Clinical Case Reports

Actinomyces meyeri: A Lung Mass Resembling Lung Cancer

Abstract

F. Cantile, Vanessa Callegari*, L. Ferrara, A. Saviola, N. Malavasi, L. Scarabelli, G. Acquaviva, L. Galassi, C. Fiorani, T. Cantile, M. Costantini, E. Franceschini and G. Longo

Actinomyces meyeri is a rare cause of lung infection. In general, actinomycosis is rare and more frequent in men than in women, exception for pelvic infection. The diagnosis is challenging as actinomycosis can clinically and radiologically mimic other infections and malignancies. Nowadays, thanks to antibiotics availability, the prognosis has improved, so death and deformity occur very rarely. Here is reported the case of a young male presented with a lung mass that was highly suspicious for cancer, so that he was hospitalized in Oncologic Medicine department of Modena University Hospital, Italy. A biopsy of the lesion was performed to obtain a diagnosis. The culture from mass biopsy resulted positive for Actinomyces meyeri, so a specific antibiotic therapy was started and prolonged for six weeks, with patient’s clinical and radiological remission. His relevant clinical data are reported here, together with radiological and microbiological examinations. Patient’s general conditions were good during all the hospitalization period. The aim of this case report is to focus attention on a rare form of infection, with a difficult differential diagnosis with lung cancer. The two diseases have a really different treatment and prognosis. From the anamnesis, it is possible to suspect lung actinomycosis if the patient has an history of alcoholism or bad dental hygiene. The case will be discussed, with references to available literature.