Actinomycosis pathophysiology

Revision as of 15:07, 24 September 2012 by Charmaine Patel (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search


Actinomycosis Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Actinomycosis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

Chest X Ray

CT

MRI

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Actinomycosis pathophysiology On the Web

Most recent articles

cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Actinomycosis pathophysiology

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Actinomycosis pathophysiology

CDC on Actinomycosis pathophysiology

Actinomycosis pathophysiology in the news

Blogs on Actinomycosis pathophysiology

to Hospitals Treating Actinomycosis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Actinomycosis pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Pathophysiology

  • 6 species cause disease in humans:
    • A. israelii
    • A. Naeslundii
    • A. odontolyticus
    • A. viscosus
    • A. Meyeri
    • A. gerencseriae
  • Gram positive filamentous rod
  • Sulfur Granules
  • Actinomyces from within, Nocardia from without
  • Generally low pathogenicity and cause disease only in the setting of antecedent tissue injury

Actinomycosis is most frequently caused by Actinomyces israelii and is sometimes known as the "most misdiagnosed disease," as it is frequently confused with neoplasms. A. israelii is a normal colonizer of the vagina, colon, and mouth. Infection is established first by a breach of the mucosal barrier thru various procedures (dental, GI), aspiration, or pathologies such as diverticulitis. The chronic phase of this disease is also known the "classic phase" because the acute, early phase is often missed by health care providers. This is characterized by slow contiguous growth that ignores tissue planes and forms a sinus tract that can spontaneously heal and recur, leading to a densely fibrotic lesion. This lesion is often characterized as "wooden." Sulfur granules form in a central purulence surrounded by neutrophils. This conglomeration of organisms is virtually diagnostic of Actinomyces israelii. Oral-cervicofacial disease is the most common form of actinomycosis. It is characterized by a painless "lumpy jaw." Lymphadenopathy is uncommon in this form of the disease. Another form of actinomycosis is thoracic disease, which is often misdiagnosed as a neoplasm, as it forms a mass that extends to the chest wall. It arises thru aspiration of organisms from the oropharynx. Symptoms include chest pain, fever, and weight loss. Abdominal disease is another manifestation of actinomycosis. This can lead to a sinus tract that drains to the abdominal wall or the perianal area. Pelvic actinomycosis is often caused by intrauterine devices (IUD). Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Actinomyces sp. have also been shown to infect the central nervous system in a dog "without history or evidence of previous trauma or other organ involvement." [2]

References

Template:Bacterial diseases

de:Aktinomykose gl:Actinomicose hr:Aktinomikoza nl:Actinomycose sr:Актиномикоза fi:Aktinomykoosi uk:Актиномікоз

Template:WikiDoc Sources