Actinomycosis Causing Recurrent Perianal Fistulae

• Autor(a) principal: Cardoso, M
• Data de Publicação: 2017
• Outros Autores: Carneiro, C, Lourenço, L, Rodrigues, C, Alberto, S, João, A, Rocha, R, Geraldes, V, Costa, A, Reis, J, Nunes, V
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.10/2040
• topic: Anus diseases; Abscess; Actinomycosis

Actinomycosis is a rare but easily curable infection that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of perianal fistulizing disease. We present the case of a 26-year-old woman with complex perianal fistulae, including trans-sphincteric and suprasphincteric fistulous tracts and a rectovaginal fistula, requiring multiple abscess drainages, seton placement, and antibiotic courses, with little improvement. After extensive investigation, Actinomyces spp. was identified in anal cytology. The patient underwent a 6-week course of intravenous penicillin followed by oral amoxicillin, with remarkable improvement. This case illustrates the importance of pursuing less common diagnoses in refractory complex perianal disease, such as actinomycosis.