Forgotten Infection Friday- The Great Pretender: Actinomycosis Masquerading as Diabetic Foot Infection

Actinomycosis is a rare, slow-growing filamentous gram-positive bacterial infection that can mimic cancer, tuberculosis, or chronic diabetic foot infections by producing woody fibrosis, interconnected sinus tracts, and characteristic yellow "sulfur" granules. Diagnosis requires deep tissue biopsy and careful anaerobic culture or histology; treatment is prolonged high‑dose penicillin (or alternatives if allergic) often combined with surgical drainage and debridement.