ACTINOMYCOSIS OF THE BRAIN; CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.

The available world literature (since Friedman's and Levy's comprehensive report in 1937) regarding actinomycosis of the central nervous system is reviewed. Only cases proved by culture were included in this analysis. A total of 17 cases was collected and an additional patient with this entity is described.The important differences between actinomycosis and nocardiosis are discussed. A definite diagnosis of actinomycosis was possible only when anaerobic cultures of cerebrospinal fluid or material obtained from a brain abscess yielded colonies of typical Actinomyces organisms. The characteristic result of infection of the brain by this fungus was abscess formation, and this occurred in all except one of the cases reviewed. Penicillin appears to be the drug of choice in treatment and, where possible, surgical excision of the cerebral abscess should be undertaken.