Abstract

Actinomycosis is an indolent, slowly progressive infection caused by actinomyces species that normally colonize the mouth, colon, and vagina, characterized by sulfur granule formation. Actinomycosis can affect multiple organs, with local or systemic manifestations. The abdomen is involved in less than 20% of the cases with the ileocecal area being the site most frequently affected. The anorectal region is less frequently involved. We report a case of anorectal actinomycosis, which was diagnosed by histologic study of sigmoidoscopic biopsy. The patient was a 40-year-old man who took immunosuppressive agents after kidney transplantation. Adequate surgical excision was done, being followed by administration of massive dose of a penicillin. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2003;27:553⁣557)

• Keywords: Actinomycosis, Anorectum, Sigmoidoscopy, Kidney transplantation