LAUSR

Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial condition that is seen infrequently and no studies have examined its prevalence or incidence globally. The author, a stoma care clinical nurse specialist (CNS), found herself caring for two such patients 3 weeks apart, both of whom were diagnosed with pelvic actinomycosis. Both patients had been fitted with copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) 10 years previously and were not aware that leaving IUDs in situ for a prolonged period increased their risk of infection. This article gives an overview of the condition, with discussion around the two patients the author cared for within her own specialty; not all aspects of the condition are included as the she has no clinical experience in microbiology and is not a gynaecological CNS. The case studies show how both women presented and were treated, with interventions including emergency surgery, long-term antibiotic therapy and stoma formation. Pelvic actinomycosis is often associated with the use of an IUD, and greater awareness about the risk of leaving IUDs in situ for prolonged periods is needed among gastrointestinal, colorectal and gynaecological practitioners.