Actinomycosis pathophysiology

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

  • Actinomycosis is caused by the bacteria Actinomyces which is a normal commensal of the human oral cavity but less common in the female genital tract and lower gastrointestinal tract.
  • The common clinical forms of are:
  • Cervicofacial actinomycosis (lumpy jaw)
  • Thoracic actinomycosis
  • Abdominal actinomycosis
  • Pelvic actinomycosis
  • Dermatologic actinomycosis
  • Pediatric actinomycosis
  • Opthalmological actinomycosis
Types Site of Infection Source of infection Pathogenesis
Cervicofascial actinomycosis
  • Neck
  • Jaw
  • Mouth
  • Dental problems like tooth decay
  • Most common type of actinomycosis
  • 50% of cases
Thoracic actinomycosis
  • Lungs
  • Pleura
  • Chest wall
  • Mediastinum
  • Inhalation of droplets of contaminated fluid
  • Aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions or gastric contents
  • Direct extension of cervicofacial infection into the mediastinum
  • Transdiaphragmatic or retroperitoneal spread from the abdomen
  • Hematogenous spread
  • 15%-20% of cases
Abdominal actinomycosis Abdomen
  • Secondary to abdominal infections like appendicitis
  • Accidental swallowing of a foreign body such as, chicken bone containing the actinomycetes bacteria
  • Penetrating trauma
  • Perforation of the gut (e.g.,the colon or appendix)
  • Surgical manipulation of GI tract
  • 20% of cases
Pelvic actinomycosis Pelvis
  • Occurs most commonly in woman as the bacteria passes from the female genitals into the pelvis
  • Long term use of IUD type of contraceptive
  • 10% of cases
Cental nervous system

References

Template:Bacterial diseases