Actinomycosis - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

What is Actinomycosis ?

Actinomycosis is a chronic, non contagious bacterial infection, commonly of the face and neck, that produces abscesses (collections of pus) and open-draining sinuses (tracts in the skin). It is an infectious disease caused predominantly by a bacterium called Actinomyces israelii (A.israelii) in humans and by A. bovis in cattle.

There are lab tests to differentiate actinomyces in pus or tissue specimens. A sample of the pus is tested to show whether there are any yellow sulphur granules in the fluid, and to find if the actinomyces species of bacteria are present. A biopsy may be done to remove a sample of the infected tissue.

Actinomycosis in the lungs, abdomen, pelvis, or brain can be very hard to diagnose since the symptoms often similar to those of other diseases. Actinomycosis of the lungs or abdomen can resemble tuberculosis or cancer. Diagnostic x-ray results, the presence of draining sinus tracts, and microscopic analysis and culturing of infected tissue are some kinds of diagnosis.

Other names are Rivalta disease, big jaw, clams, lumpy jaw or wooden tongue.

Causes of Actinomycosis

It commonly caused by a gram-positive anaerobic bacillus called Actinomyces israelii normally found in the mouth.
Main reasons to spread this bacterium in the skin areas are human or animal bites, tooth extraction, tooth disease, root canal treatment, jaw surgery, or poor dental hygiene.

What are the symptoms of Actinomycosis ?

Formation of a hard lump of tissue and contraction (tightening) of the muscles around it.
Multiple painful, hard swellings filled with pus, oftenly found on the face, neck, chest, and abdomen.
High temperature occurs in some cases.
In some people there may be possibilty of weight loss.

Actinomycosis Treatment

Antibiotics such as penicillin, are normally given through a vein in the first instance, followed up by tablets taken by mouth. Depending on the infection, antibiotics continuation may be for 6 - 12 months, to prevent relapse.
In some cases, surgery may also be needed to drain deep abscesses and to remove the sinuses and the large infected lumps, and to seal off any sinuses that have moved into the bone structure.
Other treatments are Chloramphenicol, Erythromycin, Tetracyclines, and Clindamycin withe combination of the antibiotics and surgery.

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