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Case Reports
. 2025 Jan 6;17(1):e77050.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.77050. eCollection 2025 Jan.

Actinomycosis in a Gallbladder Specimen: A Case Report

Rahul R Mor  1 , Hiba Shanti  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Actinomycosis in a Gallbladder Specimen: A Case Report

Rahul R Mor et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous infection caused by Actinomyces species, a group of anaerobic, gram-positive bacteria commonly found in the human oral cavity, gastrointestinal, and female genital tracts. Although it predominantly affects the cervicofacial region, rare manifestations such as gallbladder actinomycosis can occur. This report presents a case of gallbladder actinomycosis in a 61-year-old man who presented with a two-week history of right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, nausea, and vomiting. Imaging revealed biliary obstruction with common bile duct stones, leading to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Histopathological examination identified Actinomyces species, confirmed by Gram, PAS, and Grocott staining. While prolonged antibiotic therapy is the cornerstone of treatment, localized infections with complete surgical excision may not necessitate extended antibiotic use, as highlighted in this case.

Keywords: actinomycosis; acute cholangitis; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; gallbladder; gallstones; laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Histopathological slide of an inflamed gallbladder with an intraluminal cluster of organisms (hematoxylin and eosin stain, magnification x1.3)
Figure 2
Figure 2. Magnified image of the cluster of organisms (hematoxylin and eosin stain, magnification x10)
Figure 3
Figure 3. Positive stains of Actinomyces for Gram (A), PAS (B), and Grocott (C). All three slides have a magnification of x10
PAS: periodic acid-Schiff
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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