Actinomycosis

Actinomycosis

Write a short note on actinomycosis.
Answer:

• Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative disease caused by the anaerobic bacteria, i.e. Actinomyces israelii.
• The microorganism resides in oral cavity, alimentary tract and vagina.
• Infection is endogenous in origin.

Actinomycosis

Actinomycosis Morphologic Features

Depending on anatomic location of lesions, actinomycosis is of four types:

1. Cervicofacial actinomycosis: Infection enters from tonsils, carious teeth, periodontal disease or trauma following tooth extraction. Initially, a fim swelling develops in lower jaw. In time, the mass breaks down and abscesses and sinuses are formed. The discharging pus contains typical tiny yellow sulphur granules. The infection may extend into adjoining tissues as well as destroy bone.

Cervicofacial actinomycosis

2. Thoracic actinomycosis: Infection in the lungs is due to aspiration of organism from oral cavity or extension of infection from abdominal or hepatic lesions.

3. Abdominal actinomycosis: Abdominal infection results from swallowing of organisms from oral cavity or extension from thoracic cavity.

4. Pelvic actinomycosis: Infection in the pelvis occurs as a complication of IUCD.

Actinomycosis Histologically

• On microscopic examination, following features are seen:
• There is the presence ofa granuloma with central suppuration.

Actinomycosis treatment

• There is formation of an abscess in the center of lesion and at periphery are seen chronic inflammatory cells, giant cells and fibroblasts.
• Center of each abscess contains a bacterial colony ‘sulfur granule’ characterized by radiating filaments with hyaline, eosinophilic, club-like representatives of secreted immunoglobulins.