Abdominal actinomycosis

Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare, indolent, granulomatous bacterial infection predominantly caused by *Actinomyces israelii* or other related anaerobic Gram-positive species It primarily involves the gastrointestinal tract and abdominopelvic cavity, most frequently affecting the ileocecal region, appendix, or pelvic structures following disruptions to mucosal integrity, prior abdominal surgery, or prolonged intrauterine device use Pathophysiologically, the infection spreads contiguously without...

Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare, indolent, granulomatous bacterial infection predominantly caused by *Actinomyces israelii* or other related anaerobic Gram-positive species It primarily involves the gastrointestinal tract and abdominopelvic cavity, most frequently affecting the ileocecal region, appendix, or pelvic structures following disruptions to mucosal integrity, prior abdominal surgery, or prolonged intrauterine device use Clinically, it often presents with chronic abdominal pain, fever...

It primarily involves the gastrointestinal tract and abdominopelvic cavity, most frequently affecting the ileocecal region, appendix, or pelvic structures following disruptions to mucosal integrity, prior abdominal surgery, or prolonged intrauterine device use

Pathophysiologically, the infection spreads contiguously without regard to anatomical tissue planes, leading to dense fibrosis, necrotic abscesses, sinus tract and fistula formation, and characteristic microscopic sulfur granules

Pathophysiologically, the infection spreads contiguously without regard to anatomical tissue planes, leading to dense fibrosis, necrotic abscesses, sinus tract and fistula formation, and characteristic microscopic sulfur granules

Clinically, it often presents with chronic abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, or palpable infiltrative masses that frequently mimic intra-abdominal malignancies or inflammatory bowel disease