A Case of Esophageal Actinomycosis without Treatment in an Immunocompetent Patient

Kim, Gyung Eun; Choi, Yong Jun; Park, Jin Seok; Shin, Yong Woon; Han, Jee Young

doi:2014.14.1.67

Korean J Helicobacter Up Gastrointest Res > Volume 14(1); 2014 > Article

Case Report

The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research 2014;14(1):67-70.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7704/kjhugr.2014.14.1.67 Published online March 10, 2014.

A Case of Esophageal Actinomycosis without Treatment in an Immunocompetent Patient

Gyung Eun Kim, Yong Jun Choi, Jin Seok Park, Yong Woon Shin, Jee Young Han

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. ywshin@inha.ac.kr
²Department of Pathology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.

정상 면역을 가진 환자에서 경과 관찰한 식도 방선균증 1예

김경은, 최용준, 박진석, 신용운¹, 한지영²

인하대학교 의과대학 내과학교실¹, 병리학교실²

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic disease, mainly caused by Actinomyces israelii that are present in the normal flora of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. Opportunistic infection can occur if there is a break in the mucosal barrier or immunosuppressant condition. Factors that precipitate actinomycosis include surgery, inflammation, perforation, and intrauterine contraceptive devices. Esophageal actinomycosis is an extremely rare presentation, especially in immunocompetent patients. We report an unusual case of esophageal actinomycosis in an immunocompetent patient with review of the natural course of esophageal actinomycosis without treatment.

Key Words: Actinomycosis; Esophagus; Immunocompetence