Actinomycosis

Vanessa K. Wong, Thomas Turmezei, V. C. Weston

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

356 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

- Although rare, a high level of clinical suspicion is needed to diagnose and cure actinomycosis in patients with indolent, unresolving, or relapsing chronic inflammatory disease.
- Actinomyces are commensals that become pathogenic when the mucosa is breached, and co-infection with other organisms is common.
- Disease is defined by anatomical location; orocervicofacial disease is the most common, followed by thoracic and abdominopelvic disease.
- A mass characteristically enlarges across tissue planes and local tissue invasion may lead to the formation of sinus tracts that can spontaneously heal and recur.
- Actinomycosis often mimics other infections and malignancy—clinically and radiologically.
- It is generally treated with long term antibiotics, usually penicillin, but surgery may be needed.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberd6099
JournalBritish Medical Journal (BMJ)
Volume343
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Oct 2011

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