Actinomycosis

Actinomycosis – General Information

Actinomycosis is a chronic bacteria and suppurative infection that is caused by the bacteria named Actinomyces israelii. This medical disorder generally affects three zones: the cervical zone (50 percent), the abdominal zone (23 percent) and the thoracic (17 percent) zone. The most common is the cervico-facial zone; if your cervico-facial zone has been affected, you will probably experience small pains and progressive swelling near the mandible. Most cases of patients whose disorder has affected their cervico-facial zone also experience maxillofacial trauma and dental manipulation. Skin is usually affected too, as it becomes purplish. Luckily, the patient’s skin condition is not often accompanied by adenopathies (which are palpable). Without any treatment for this medical condition, this mass can suffer a necrosis in its central region, thus becoming abscessed: a fistula can appear to exude material which may be purulent with yellowish, granular types; this material is represented by denominated sulphur granules (actinomyces colonies). The name Actinomycosis can be misleading for some of us. Because of this derivative term, mycosis (from Greek term mykes), some think that the name might lead to a fungal infection, although it has nothing to do with such a medical condition. Aktino can be referred to the radiating body in the granule of sulphur as ray fungus. Human Actinomycosis has been first described in books of medical literature in 1857, although similar diseases in cattle have had been described in 1826, 1877, Bollinger had found Actinomyces Bovis in some granules from cattle that had a problem called lumpy jaw. In 1878, Israel had discovered some granules in a few human autopsy materials and had described this disease in humans in 1885.

Actinomycosis - Symptoms

Cervicofacial Actinomycosis may affect the oral region, the neck and the head. The bacterium gets in through the periodontium (the tissues that surround and support teeth), the wounds of soft tissue or ducts of the salivary gland. Physicians believe that infections can appear after tooth extractions, from decay of teeth or abscess, from a jaw trauma, bad dental hygiene, or injuries of the patient’s mucose. This type of this disorder has a slow development. The area that is affected can become hard, as the skin becomes red; sometimes a swelling occurs in the neck and mouth. Some patients experience abscesses; when they come out to the skin surface, one can notice granules of sulfur (yellowish/grey masses), filamentous masses (long, threadlike formation) organisms, within the pus. Thoracic Actinomycosis can affect the lungs and the mediastinum (the place between your lungs). The disease can start with cough, fever, and production of sputum. The patient weakens, lessens his weight and can experience heavy sweats and breathe shortness at night. Many sinuses can extend themselves through the chest’s wall, into the heart, or to the abdominal cavity. Ribs could be involved. Sometimes, cervico-facial/thoracic disease can result in complications of the nervous system - usually meningitis or abscesses of the brain. Abdominal Actinomycosis is generally triggered by surgery like laparotomy for acute appendicitis, perforated ulcer, or gallbladder inflammation. The infection commonly starts in gastrointestinal tracts and can spread to the abdominal wall.

Actinomycosis – Treatment

Medical Care for Actinomycosis:

Keratitis: Actinomyces can be often susceptible to penicillin and cephalosporin. Keratoactinomycosis’ treatment in the old days would be the necrotic tissue excision, followed by cauterization. Although, good results can be obtained by penicillin which is subconjunctival, coadministered with iodides that are systemic. As an alternative, there is topical sulfacetamide or penicillin.

Canaliculitis: Actinomyces are commonly susceptible to penicillin and cephalosporin. Postoperatively, some patients could be treated using cefazolin which is topical for one month. Hyperbaric adjunctive oxygen therapy used for actinomycotic lacrimal canaliculitis was also reported to be used.

Surgical Care:

Keratitis: All of the keratoactinomycosis reported cases responded well to therapy, which was made of intraocular, systemic and topical antibiotics and as pars plana vitrectomy and fragmentary iridectomy. Quick keratoplasty for corneal Actinomyces species infections was reported at a 41-year-old.

Canaliculitis: Resolving failure of canaliculitis with topical treatment requires exploration of the surgical type of the canalicular system and removing any casts. Extensive surgery is not a must. A 2-snip punctoplasty, removal of the casts, adjunctive antibiotic therapy, curettage and probing often result in the solutioning of the canaliculitis. Raising surgically obtained dacryoliths and also the secretion enables trustworthy evidence of Actinomyces and can allow appropriate canaliculitis therapy. Even if Actinomyces is penicillin-sensitive, Actinomycosis does not disappear until all the concretions and the granulations that are present in the canaliculus are meticulously removed.

Amoxicillin:

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is in the penicillin drug group and is a good remedy for Actinomycosis. It has the role of fighting bacteria like Actinomyces in your organism. Amoxicillin can be used in treating several types of infections that are caused by bacteria, like ear infections, infections of the bladder, pneumonia, Actinomycosis and E. coli, gonorrhea or salmonella infection. Amoxicillin can be also sometimes utilized along with some another antibiotic which is called clarithromycin (Biaxin) for the treatment of stomach ulcers that appear because of Helicobacter pylori infection. This setup is sometimes utilized with stomach acid reducers that are called lansoprazole (Prevacid).
Amoxicillin can also be employed for reasons other than the ones listed in this medication guide. Under no circumstances are you allowed to use this drug if you’re allergic to Amoxicillin to other penicillin antibiotics, like:

ampicillin
carbenicillin
dicloxacillin
oxacillin
penicillin

You ought to take this medical product (this medicine) exactly how your personal health care provider has prescribed you to in order to make sure that you are treating your medical condition (Actinomycosis) properly. You should avoid taking the medical product in large amounts, or taking it for a longer period of time than your personal physician has prescribed you to. Follow the directions that your personal doctor has prescribed you. You can also rely on the set of instructions that ought to be found in the medicine’s label.

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Actinomycosis

Actinomycosis – General Information

Actinomycosis - Symptoms

Actinomycosis – Treatment

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