Pulmonary actinomycosis presenting with prolonged fever and massive hemoptysis: a case report

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2005 Sep;36(5):1268-71.

Abstract

We present a rare case of pulmonary actinomycosis complicated with massive hemoptysis. The patient was a 41-year-old male farmer, who had experienced prolonged fever and off-and-on blood streaked sputum for 2 years. He was admitted to our hospital because of 3 days of massive hemoptysis. He had no underlying medical illnesses, but was a heavy smoker and an alcoholic. The chest radiograph revealed patchy alveolar infiltration of the right upper lobe, mimicing tuberculosis. Massive hemoptysis was not controlled using conservative treatment and anti-tuberculous drugs. Emergency right upper lobe lobectomy was needed to stop the bleeding. Histopathologic examination demonstrated aggregates of filamentous gram-positive organisms in characteristic "sulfur granules", indicating actinomycosis. The fever subsided after intravenous augmentin was given, followed by 6 months of oral amoxicillin. The patient is doing well and has had no recurrent hemoptysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actinomyces / pathogenicity
  • Actinomycosis / complications*
  • Actinomycosis / physiopathology
  • Actinomycosis / therapy*
  • Adult
  • Fever / complications*
  • Fever / physiopathology
  • Hemoptysis / complications*
  • Hemoptysis / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases
  • Male
  • Thailand
  • Treatment Outcome