Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Actinomyces species are facultative anaerobic bacteria that are part of the normal flora of the human oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and vaginal tract. These bacteria are known to cause actinomycosis, a rare chronic granulomatous infection that typically presents as a slowly progressive disease. Pulmonary actinomycosis, although rare, has long been recognized as a distinct form of pneumonia, typically affecting individuals with underlying risk factors such as poor oral hygiene, aspiration risk, pre-existing lung disease, or immunocompromising conditions. The recent surge in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has prompted concerns regarding its potential role in predisposing individuals to pulmonary infections, including those caused by commensal oral flora such as Actinomyces species. Here, we present a case of a 48-year-old immunocompetent woman with no significant medical conditions or risk factors aside from a five-year history of vaping, who developed a cavitary pneumonia caused by Actinomyces odontolyticus.
Source: Cureus
Institution: Phoenixville Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Microbiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7126045588