A Case of Actinomycosis Presenting as an Oral Ulcer in a Healthy Child

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative and granulomatous bacterial infection most commonly presenting as an abscess, soft tissue swelling, or mass in the cervicofacial region. Although the organisms often invade soft tissues through damaged oral mucosa, actinomycosis presenting acutely as a superficial oral ulcer is extremely rare. We report a case of actinomycosis in a 6-year-old boy who presented a painful ulcer on the right buccal mucosa. Histopathologic examination showed sulfur granules and granulation tissue with mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis. The granules contained numerous Gram-positive filamentous organisms consistent with actinomycosis. We propose that actinomycosis should be kept in mind in the diagnosis of oral ulcerations.