THORACIC ACTINOMYCOSIS - DISCUSSION OF 3 CASES

We have had the chance to follow three patients with thoracic actinomy cosis in a relatively short period of time (18 months). They were thre e male patients, with chronic dental infections. The illness appeared as toxic syndrome and fever. In all three cases diagnosis was made thr ough samples obtained through fibropticbronchoscopy. At the same time all of them evolved favorably to the antibiotic treatment (penicillin and/or tetracyclines) prescribed. We conclude that the diagnosis of th oracic actinomycosis should be suspected in those patients with a comp atible clinical and radiological condition, and who has suffered previ ous weakening diseases and periodontal lesions.