Bacteraemia with hepatic abscess due to Actinomyces odontolyticus associated with gastrointestinal foreign body

Always consider gastrointestinal foreign bodies: In elderly patients with dementia presenting with liver abscesses that do not respond to conventional treatment, foreign body perforation should be suspected and actively investigated using a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan.<i>Actinomyces spp.</i> should be considered: In cases of liver abscess of unknown aetiology, Actinomyces spp. should be considered - a slow-growing anaerobic bacterium requiring matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization matrix-assisted laser desorption/Ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for accurate species identification and targeted antibiotic therapy guidance.Combined treatment is the key to success: Optimal management requires a combination of three elements - surgical removal of the foreign body, thorough abscess drainage, and prolonged beta-lactam antibiotics to prevent recurrence.