PRIMARY PULMONARY BOTRYOMYCOSIS - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW

Botryomycosis is an uncommon bacterial disease characterized by the mi croscopic formation of eosinophilic granules that resemble those of in fection by Actinomyces species, The diagnosis of botryomycosis can be made when microscopic inspection and culture of the granules reveal gr ampositive cocci or gram-negative bacilli. Botryomycosis is caused by common bacterial pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichi a coil, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, yet the host and microbial factors that contribute to the pathobiology remain unknown. Pulmonary botryom ycosis can resemble actinomycosis, tuberculosis, or invasive carcinoma by causing a mass lesion with constitutional symptoms. Radiographical ly, it invades bone and disrupts tissue planes. Successful treatment o ften requires a combination of both surgical debridement and long-term antimicrobial therapy, We report a case of primary pulmonary botryomy cosis and review the literature on this unusual infectious process.