Actinomycosis of the gallbladder.

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative infection usually caused by Actinomyces israeli. It is rarely located in the gallbladder and, if so, it can masquerade as a chronic cholecystitis. The case history of a 54-year-old female patient with actinomycosis of the gallbladder is described, and a survey of the literature is given. Although surgical drainage is the initial treatment of choice, a prolonged postoperative antibiotic treatment is advocated.