Introduction:

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative bacterial infection, produced by Actinomyces species, mainly Actinomyces israelii. Pelvic localization is extremely rare with 3% of all human actinomycosis.

Objective:

To describe the clinical case of a patient who received surgical treatment and was diagnosed with pelvic actinomycosis without association with the use of intrauterine devices, which contributes to current knowledge about a rare disease.

Clinical case:

A 22-year-old white female patient, received urgent surgical treatment for presenting as a preoperative diagnosis a tube-ovarian abscess. With the application of general orotracheal anesthesia, exploratory laparotomy, left salpingo oophorectomy and profuse washing of the abdominal cavity were performed without complications and the diagnosis of pelvic actinomycosis was confirmed by the Department of Pathological Anatomy. She completed antimicrobial treatment for four weeks and seven months after surgery, she remained asymptomatic.

Conclusions:

Pelvic actinomycosis is a disease that should be suspected in all patients with chronic pelvic pain, being an exceptional entity, in women with no history of being carriers of intrauterine devices. The clinical presentation is typically insidious so the diagnosis is often delayed. A high level of suspicion and an active diagnostic attitude are essential for timely, safe and effective treatment.