Actinomycosis
Introduction.
Actinomycoses are opportunistic infections by Actinomyces bacteria which are
normally found on human skin and mucous membranes. A common cause is recent
surgery or wounds.
- Cause: Actinomyces israelii a.o.
- Microscopy: Gram-positive rods, filamentous, acid-fast
- Symptoms: swelling, scarring, draining lesion (cervicocranial);
abscesses can also form elsewhere
- Transmission: endogenous
- Pathogenesis: Immunopathogenesis; granuloma, abscess, pus formation
- Treatment: Debridement, Penicillin, erythromycin, or clindamycin