Presentation
Two cases of cervicofacial actinomycosis, resulting in submandibular swelling, are presented. How actinomycosis may present under the guise of malignancy is well demonstrated. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Entire Body System
- Sulfur Granules
Actinomycosis, a chronic suppurative bacterial infection characterized by draining sinuses that discharge "sulfur granules," can mimic numerous other infectious and noninfectious conditions. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
On surgical pathology, actinomycosis is characterized by sulfur granules (Figure 1). These are composed of bacteria cemented together by a polysaccharide-protein complex and calcium phosphate. Grossly, these sulfur granules appear yellow. [path.upmc.edu]
Subsequently, areas of softening appear and develop into sinuses and fistulas that discharge the characteristic sulfur granules. [msdmanuals.com]
- Fever
Pelvic actinomycosis affects the women's pelvic area and may cause lower abdominal pain, fever, and bleeding between menstrual periods. [healthcentral.com]
The individual may have: abscesses persistent fever pain diarrhea or constipation pus that appears through the skin The type of infection can spread. [medicalnewstoday.com]
Actinomycosis of the pelvis will result in a mild fever (less than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius), fatigue and a loss of appetite. [wikihow.com]
It usually presents with a history of prolonged use (>2 years) and symptoms of fever, vaginal discharge, pelvic or abdominal pain, and weight loss. [patient.info]
Fever and other symptoms of systemic infection are sometimes present. Actinomycosis around the jaw can cause trismus (prolonged spasm of the jaw muscles). [dermnetnz.org]
- Lymphadenopathy
Reactive lymphadenopathy was associated in three patients. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Rarely regional lymphadenopathy is seen. However, lymphadenopathy and abscess formation is seen due to secondary infection. [omicsonline.org]
[…] of draining sinus tracts with sulfur granules is seen in approximately 40% of cases. [2] Our patient had palpable mass with regional lymphadenopathy but no sinus tracts or sulfur granules. [e-ijd.org]
Any extracutaneous lesions and lymphadenopathy were not detected. The patient had no history of diabetes mellitus, dental surgery, trauma, or tuberculosis. [woundsresearch.com]
- Malaise
Symptoms may include pelvic pain, leukorrhea, menorrhagia, and amenorrhea, associated with fever, malaise, weakness, and weight loss, in any combination. [antimicrobe.org]
Jaw & Teeth
- Trismus
Actinomycosis around the jaw can cause trismus (prolonged spasm of the jaw muscles). Lymph nodes are not usually enlarged and there is generally little pain, unless adjacent structures are compressed. [dermnetnz.org]
[6] and tender or non-tender woody hard multiple nodular lesions, usually situated at the angle of the jaw, multiple abscesses and sinuses that open onto the cheek, sulfur granules in the exudates, typical absence of lymphadenopathy, with or without trismus [jiaomr.in]
Tenderness, trismus and expansive hardness of the surrounding tissues were noted. There were no palpable lymph nodes. [bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com]
Trismus may be prominent early in the patient's course; however, cervical lymphadenopathy is uncommon. Direct extension may involve the tongue, sinuses, and meninges and rarely, contribute to periostitis or osteomyelitis of the mandible ( 74 ). [antimicrobe.org]
Face, Head & Neck
- Neck Mass
We report a case of cervicofacial actinomycosis with paravertebral extension in a 60-year-old man who presented with recurrent neck masses. Diagnosis was confirmed on culture and histology of pus and debris obtained from surgical drainage. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Pediatric Cervicofacial Actinomycosis: An Unusual Cause of Head and Neck Masses. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2014 Jun. 3 (2):e15-9. [Medline]. Kutluhan A, Salviz M, Yalçiner G, Kandemir O, Yesil C. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Workup
If workups for tuberculosis and fungal infections are negative, a high degree of suspicion is needed to diagnose actinomycosis correctly. Actinomycosis frequently imitates a neoplastic process when faced with an ill-defined and fixed mass. [woundsresearch.com]
[…] bacilli AM: Actinomycosis HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus Declarations Acknowledgements We are grateful to the laboratory and clinical staff of the Banso Baptist Hospital and Bamenda Regional Hospital for their incessant collaboration in the laboratory workup [bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com]
Microbiology
- Actinomyces Bovis
Actinomyces bovis causes granulomatous infections in cattle; however, this species has never been proven as a human pathogen and earlier reports of human A. bovis infections most probably were due to A. israelii ( 5, 47 ). [antimicrobe.org]
Laboratory
- Leukocytosis
Investigations [ 1 ] Blood tests: nonspecific but there may be evidence of anaemia, mild leukocytosis, raised ESR and CRP and raised alkaline phosphatase (in hepatic actinomycosis). [patient.info]
Presenting symptoms included abdominal pain, and weight loss, and these patients frequently demonstrated vaginal discharge, fever, anemia and leukocytosis. [antimicrobe.org]
Treatment
Therefore proper guidelines for treatment and treatment duration are difficult to establish. The aim of this study is to establish effective treatment and treatment duration for orocervicofacial actinomycosis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prognosis
The prognosis for treated infection is excellent. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The book starts by describing the etiology, microscopical appearance, production of odor, epidemiology and pathogenesis, direction of peripheral spreading, differential and clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of antinomycosis. [books.google.com]
What is the Prognosis of Cervicofacial Actinomycosis? (Outcomes/Resolutions) The prognosis of Cervicofacial Actinomycosis is determined by the overall health of the affected individual. [dovemed.com]
The prognosis for treated infection is excellent. (PDF emailed within 0-6 h: $19.90) Accession: 004066693 Download citation: RIS BibTeX Text PMID: 15847718 DOI: 10.1007/s11908-005-0030-0 Diagnosis of cervicofacial actinomycosis. [eurekamag.com]
Etiology
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. [icd10coded.com]
The book starts by describing the etiology, microscopical appearance, production of odor, epidemiology and pathogenesis, direction of peripheral spreading, differential and clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of antinomycosis. [books.google.com]
Relevant procedures necessary for reliably diagnosing actinomycosis are discussed, with details of their complex etiology. PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar 5. [link.springer.com]
The etiology of human actinomycoses is complex in two respects: the principal etiological agents of the disease do not belong to a single species, but to a variety of different members of the genera Actinomyces, Propionibacterium, and Bifidobacterium. [antimicrobe.org]
Epidemiology
Patient Population: Prevalence and Epidemiology Knee // Shoulder & Elbow // Hip // Spine // Foot & Ankle // Hand & Wrist Fragility Fractures: Diagnosis and Treatment Shoulder & Elbow The Characteristics of Surgeons Performing Total Shoulder Arthroplasty [mdedge.com]
The book starts by describing the etiology, microscopical appearance, production of odor, epidemiology and pathogenesis, direction of peripheral spreading, differential and clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of antinomycosis. [books.google.com]
2022 HUMAN CERVICO-FACIAL ACTINOMYCOSIS: Actinomyces in chronic granulomatous disease, epidemiological and clinical comments Articolo in rivista Vai 2020 The significance of epidermal growth factor receptor uncommon mutations in non-small cell lung cancer [unipa.it]
There is little characteristic epidemiology for actinomycosis in general. Pelvic disease is much more likely when an intrauterine device (IUD) is in place. [infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com]
Pathophysiology
The authors highlight the possible pathophysiology of this condition. It is suggested that clinicians be aware of the various modes of presentation and natural history of the disease to facilitate prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Well-organized Major Infectious Diseases chapters break down content by etiologic agent and epidemiology, clinical signs and their pathophysiology, physical examination findings, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, immunity, prevention, and public health [books.google.com]
Pathophysiology Actinomyces species that cause human disease are not found in nature but are normal flora of the oropharynx, GI tract, and female genital tract. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Prevention
Well-organized Major Infectious Diseases chapters break down content by etiologic agent and epidemiology, clinical signs and their pathophysiology, physical examination findings, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, immunity, prevention, and public health [books.google.com]
The following tips may be helpful in the prevention of Cervicofacial Actinomycosis: Practicing proper dental hygiene: Maintaining proper dental hygiene always, and particularly, following a dental procedure, surgery, or tooth extraction Educating oneself [dovemed.com]
Preventing actinomycosis Most cases of oral actinomycosis occur as a result of poor dental hygiene. This means practising good dental hygiene is the best way to prevent actinomycosis. [your.md]
One of the best ways to prevent actinomycosis is to practice good oral hygiene. Schedule regular visits with your dentist so that they can spot potential problems. [healthline.com]
Because it often develops as a secondary infection, actinomycosis can be difficult to prevent. [wikihow.com]