Endobronchial actinomycosis in a child during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a rare, indolent and invasive infection caused by\nActinomyces species. Pulmonary actinomycosis is very rarely seen in the\npaediatric population. The classic radiological presentation of thoracic\ninvolvement of actinomycosis includes lower lobe consolidation, empyema\nand periostitis of the ribs. We report a case of endobronchial pulmonary\nactinomycosis in a child diagnosed on endobronchial biopsy and\nbroncho-alveolar lavage taken during bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy can be\ndangerous when performed on these cases, as there is a risk of severe\nbleeding and large airway obstruction, as was the case with this\npatient.