Atypical actinomycotic pyogranuloma of the frontal and parietal region in a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) - a case report

Actinomycosis is a rare infectious bacterial disease that affects domestic and wild ruminants, horses, small carnivores, monkeys, rabbits, birds and humans. Actinomyces spp. are gram-positive, acid-fast-negative filamentous bacteria which can grow anaerobically and cause abscesses and pyogranulomatous inflammation. In this report, a case of an atypical actinomycotic pyogranuloma due to Actinomyces sp. of the frontal and parietal region of the head in a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is described. Based on the gross and histopathological findings and bacterial culture results, a diagnosis of extrafacial actinomycosis affecting the neurocranial part of the skull and soft tissues of the frontal and parietal regions was made.