lumbosacral actinomycosis in an immunocompetent individual: an extremely rare case

Actinomycosis is a gram positive commensal bacteria. In predisposed individuals like immunocompromised patients, it can cause myriad lesions involving virtually any organ of the body. Involvement of spinal cord with its compression is rare though. We are reporting here a case of 30-year-old immunocompetent male who presented with weakness of left lower limb. Radiologically differential diagnosis was tuberculosis or lymphoma of spinal cord. Histopathology showed actinomycotic colonies that were periodic Schiff (PAS) positive and revealed gram positive filamentous bacteria.