Actinomyces radingae Infection at an Unusual Location: A Case Report

The Actinomyces genus of bacteria rarely causes infections in humans, as its members are part of the oral or skin flora. However, they have been known to cause infections when a person is immunocompromised. This case report describes a 65-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus infected with Actinomyces radingae on the back of his neck, with no known inciting incident other than having a neck lesion in that location, which has been stable for the past 35 years. This area was cultured, and the organism isolated was A. radingae. Antibiotic treatment was initiated, and his follow-up appointment was scheduled toward the end of the treatment course. The infection appeared to have subsided, and he was referred to dermatology, as the lesion on his neck that had previously been stable for the past 35 years still persisted. In conclusion, even rare Actinomyces species with unusual presentations can usually be treated with standard antibiotics in an outpatient setting.