Actinomycetes as the causative organism of osteomyelitis in sickle cell disease

The case of a 17-year-old girl with sickle cell anaemia who presented with extensive osteomyelitis due to actinomycetes is reported. Osteomyelitis in the long bones due to actinomycosis is extremely rare. A review of the literature reveals only six cases in which actinomycetes have been isolated from lesions affecting a long bone. The occurrence of this condition in sickle cell haemoglobinopathy has not been previously reported.