Actinomycosis: The Disease and its Treatment

Abstract

A case of pulmonary actinomycosis is described in a patient who presented with fever, weight loss, and a painful mass on his lower anterior left rib cage. Gram-stain and culture and sensitivity tests performed on the fluid drawn of the chest wall mass revealed Actinomyces israelii as the infecting organism. The patient was successfully treated with long-term penicillin therapy. A review of this rare bacterial disease is presented, emphasizing its treatment and its similarities and differences to other bacterial and fungal diseases.

Abdominal Actinomycosis Associated with a Sigmoid Colon Perforation in a Patient with a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

“…Human actinomycosis is caused by Actinomycoces israelii, a gram-positive microaerophilic organism that is normally found in the mouth, the gastrointestinal tract, and the female genital tract. Disease occurs following a disruption in the mucosal barrier 12,13…”

Mycetoma of Foot: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…There are some reports describing the effectiveness of HBOT for mycetoma infection. 11,16,24 Because of the decline of F-XIII and delay of wound healing, we used F-XIII preparation 1,6 and PGE1 preparation 18,19 which also may be effective.…”

Cervicofacial actinomycosis: Diagnosis and management

“…For cevicofacial infection, parenteral administration of penicillin G (50-75 mg/kg/day intravenously in four daily divided doses) for 4 to 6 weeks may be followed by peroral penicillin V (30-60 mg/kg/day administered in four divided doses) for 2 to 12 months [1]. For patients with a penicillin allergy, the tetracyclines probably offer the best treatment alternative for cervicofacial infections [17,18]. Mild cervicofacial actinomycosis may be managed with just 2 months of oral penicillin V or doxycycline 2 to 5 mg/kg per day administered in two equal portions at 12-hour intervals without surgical intervention.…”