hidradenitis suppurativa complicated by actinomycosis and viral hepatitis c: a case report

Introduction: hidradenitis suppurativa (hs), also known as acne inversa, is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is more common in women, especially during puberty and menopause. it is believed that the initial pathogenetic mechanism is hyperkeratinization of the follicular cavity, followed by follicular occlusion, expansion, and rupture. ultimately, the presence of bacterial agents in the focus leads to a local inflammatory reaction. many concomitant diseases and triggers have been identified, including bacterial flora, which can significantly complicate the course of hs, leading to disease chronicity and a poor response to therapy. early diagnosis of hs leads to timely treatment; the diagnosis is based on clinical features. the appropriate treatment must be chosen depending on the stage of severity. case presentation: we present a case of hs complicated by actinomycosis and viral hepatitis c. actinomycosis is a rare diagnosis, especially in developed countries. in clinical practice, the diagnosis of actinomycosis can be difficult due to the pathogen’s nonspecific clinical and pathological features, inherent difficulties in vitro cultivation, and complex histological characteristics. conclusion: given the growing number of immunocompromised patients worldwide (for example, hiv-infected or hepatitis c patients) and the numerous reports of infection with actinomycetes in these conditions, actinomycosis should be considered as a possible opportunistic infection. identifying and eliminating concomitant bacterial flora can significantly increase the chances of successful and effective therapy of hs.