Empyema due to Actinomyces as a Diagnostic Challenge: A Case Report

Actinomycosis is a chronic, suppurative, and slowly progressive infection caused by anaerobic or microaerophilic, non-spore-forming Gram-positive bacilli belonging to the genus Actinomyces. This condition is challenging to diagnose as it requires anaerobic culture media. We present the case of an 80-year-old male patient diagnosed with loculated left empyema, treated surgically with decortication, along with prolonged antibiotic therapy, resulting in resolution of the case.