Pelvic Actinomycosis: A Case Report

Authors

Jacklyn Locklear, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New OrleansFollow
Rachel Gilbert, LSU Health Science Center New OrleansFollow
Neelima Sukhavasi, LSU Health Science Center New OrleansFollow
Elizabeth Sutton, Woman's Hospital, Baton Rouge LAFollow

Document Type

Case Report

Disciplines

Higher Education | Infectious Disease | Medicine and Health Sciences | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Radiology

Abstract

Introduction: Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection caused by the gram positive anaerobic bacteria that most commonly infects the cervicofacial region of the body. Rarely, it can infect the pelvis and typically presents in a nonspecific manner.

Case Report: We present a case of a 43 year old female G6P6006 with Paragard® intrauterine device (IUD) who presented with purulent umbilical discharge and pelvic pain. Initial imaging was concerned for gastrointestinal or ovarian malignancy. Patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy with pelvic washings and hysteroscopy D&C. Operative pathology returned with results for actinomyces (IUD likely source).

Conclusion: While it is established IUDs can be associated with actinomyces infection, this case provides an example of how the illness may present clinically, oftentimes mimicking malignancy or tubo-ovarian abscess.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32873/unmc.dc.gmerj.5.1.003

Keywords

infectious disease, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), actinomyces, intrauterine device

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Locklear, J., Gilbert, R., Sukhavasi, N., , Sutton, E. Pelvic Actinomycosis: A Case Report. Graduate Medical Education Research Journal. 2023 Jun 30; 5(1).
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/gmerj/vol5/iss1/3