Pelvic actinomycosis and IUP

Infection with actinomycos israeli (an anaerobic, gram-positive bacterium) presents as chronic inflammation with tendency to fibrosis and suppuration with formation of external sinuses. Cervicofacial, thoracic and abdominal f orms of the disease made up 95% of cases of actinomycosis. A 53-year-old wo man was admitted to the hospital because of a pelvic mass which was thought to be malignant. A laparotomy was performed and the histologic examination showed actinomycosis. The patient first received penicillin followed by te tracyclin and the: pelvic mass shrunk. One year later no more mass was dete ctable. We think that the IUP in place over years is the source for this in fection.