BACKGROUND Propionibacterium acnes is a gram-positive pleomorphic rod-shaped anaerobic saprophyte of the skin, mouth and upper respiratory tract. Although associated with acne vulgaris, it is otherwise reported as a human pathogen only rarely, in various infections, notably cutaneous and osteoarticular, and in endocarditis. We report here a case of bilateral P. acnes-abscessed adenitis of the inguinal folds. METHODS A 32 year-old man presented with inguinal lymph nodes that had progressively and bilaterally reddened and become painful, with fistulation of the skin and pus. Culture of a surgical sample identified P. acnes. CONCLUSIONS Although this strain has been associated with lymph node granuloma, especially in sarcoidosis, abscessed lymph node infection as seen in our patient has never been reported.