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

Transmission

  • Actinomyces are part of natural flora of human body,resides in the oral cavity, lower gastrointestinal tract and urogenital tract.
  • They are non virulent under normal conditions
  • When there is break in the mucosa, anywhere from the mouth to the rectum they reach tissues and cause damage.

Incubation

Incubation period of Actinomycosis varies from one to four weeks. But occasionally, it may be as long as several months. 

Dissemination

Following transmission, lesions spread by direct extension.

Seeding

  • Once the endogenous bacteria are introduced into the tissues, they multiply due to low oxygen tension.
  • It triggers an inflammatory reaction which results in formation of hard yellow hard granules(sulfur granules).
  • These are solidified bacterial filaments with surrounding tissue exudates.
  • Abscesses with fibrous walls and pus along with sulfur granules develop.
  • It finally drain out through sinuses.

Immune response

Actinomycosis elicits both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses

Microscopic pathology

  • Positive for sulphur granules in pus
  • Gram positive organism with branching filaments forming segment-like structures
  • Surrounded by neutrophils
Types Site of Infection Source of infection
Cervicofacial actinomycosis
  • Neck
  • Jaw
  • Mouth
  • Dental problems like tooth decay
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
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
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
Central nervous system

actinomycosis

CNS
  • Secondary to hematogenous spread from primary infection in the lung, abdomen, or pelvis
  • Direct extension from paranasal sinuses, ears, and cervicofacial regions

References

Template:Bacterial diseases