Actinomyces spp. bloodstream and deep vein thrombus infections in people who inject drugs

Abstract

Introduction: Actinomyces spp. cause several well-described syndromes including cervicofacial and pelvic infections. Actinomyces spp. infection as an opportunistic infection among people who inject drugs has rarely been described with few case reports published.

Methods and results: Here we describe four people who inject drugs admitted with Actinomyces spp. infections, all with an overlapping syndrome and who presented a challenge to both diagnose and to manage.

Discussion: This case series highlights the potential to overlook Actinomyces spp. infection in people who inject drugs and aims to increase clinician awareness of diagnosis, empirical and directed treatment, and potential complications of this infection.

Keywords: Actinomyces; Actinomycosis; Anaerobe; Injecting drug use; Intravenous drug use.