Actinomycosis

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Actinomycosis
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Actinomycosis

• ctinomycosis is a chronic or slowly progressive
  infection that is caused by different bacterial
  species of the actinomyces genus, most commonly
  species is known to be actinomyces
  israelii.Actinomyces are normal inhabitants of
  the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and female
  genital tract, and do not cause an infection
  unless there is a break in the skin or mucosa.
  Actinomyces also seem to require the presence of
  other accompanying bacteria in order to cause
  disease.The disease is characterized by the
  formation of an abscess and draining sinus tracts
  (small tunnels which open onto the surface of the
  skin or mucous membranes and drain pus). The
  draining pus contains yellow granules called
  sulphur granules. These are named from the color
  of the granules, not their content.

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Actinomycosis
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• Actinomycosis is to be differentiated from
  actinomycetoma, which is a chronic infection of
  the skin and subcutaneous tissue, usually
  involving the foot.Actinomycetoma is caused by
  various species of actinomyces that are present
  in soil and plant material in tropical regions.

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Who is at risk of actinomycosis?

• Actinomycosis is relatively rare, but the
  following factors increase the risk of
  infection
• Poor oral hygiene that is followed by dental
  surgery or trauma
• Impaired immunity e.g. immunosuppressive
  medications or chronic conditions like diabetes
  mellitus
• Malnutrition
• Residence in tropical countries

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How is actinomycosis diagnosed?

• Material that is obtained from aspirating an
  abscess or sinus tract is cultured in the
  laboratory for further use strict growth
  conditions are required to grow actinomyces.
  Often, a variety of accompanying bacteria will be
  present.
• Sulphur granules can be checked under a
  microscope to look for characteristic features of
  actinomyces however this is not a conclusive
  test, as another bacterium called nocardia has a
  similar appearance.

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What is the treatment for actinomycosis?

• The goal of actinomycosis treatment is to treat
  the infection with large doses of antibiotics and
  surgery to create unfavorable aerobic conditions
  for the growth of actinomyces species.
• Actinomycosis is treated with antibiotics, like
  penicillin. Intravenous penicillin should be
  given in high doses after oral penicillin, as it
  is generally needed to penetrate areas of
  fibrosis and suppuration. Prolonged treatment is
  often required to prevent relapse.
• Alternative antibiotics include tetracyclines,
  erythromycin, and clindamycin.
• The surgical management of the disease involves
  drainage of deep abscesses, cutting of sinus
  tracts and extraction of bulky infected masses.
• The combination treatment involving penicillin
  and surgery mostly produces a cure

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