Skin and soft-tissue infections caused by Actinobaculum schaalii: report of two cases and literature review

Anaerobe. 2014 Aug:28:95-7. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2014.05.009. Epub 2014 Jun 9.

Abstract

Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) caused by Actinobaculum spp. are very rare. In the present study, we report two cases and review the literature. The first case was an immunocompromised patient with an extensive cellulitis secondary to an inguinal abscess, and the second case was a patient with a pilonidal abscess. Clinical outcomes of both patients were good after surgical drainage and treatment with cloxacillin. The review of the literature showed that SSTIs caused by Actinobaculum spp. are usually located on the perineal and inguinal regions and can be severe, particularly in immunocompromised patients. SSTIs caused by Actinobaculum spp. can be overlooked because identification is often difficult and they can be considered as contaminants.

Keywords: Actinobaculum schaalii; Cellulitis; Pilonidal abscess; Skin and soft tissue infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actinomycetaceae / isolation & purification*
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cloxacillin / therapeutic use
  • Debridement
  • Drainage
  • Female
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / pathology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / pathology
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / therapy
  • Soft Tissue Infections / diagnosis*
  • Soft Tissue Infections / microbiology
  • Soft Tissue Infections / pathology
  • Soft Tissue Infections / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cloxacillin