Future Microbiology· 2015Q3· Review
Actinomycosis: A Frequently Forgotten Disease
- 149citations
- Q3SCImago
- 2015year
Short summary
Actinomycosis, a rare endogenous infection by low-virulence Actinomyces species, often mimics other diseases like malignancy, leading to delayed diagnosis.
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Key points
- Actinomycosis is an endogenous infection by low-virulence bacteria, often mimicking malignancy.
- Diagnosis is frequently delayed due to its nonspecific presentation.
- Diagnostic tools include culture, histology, mass spectrometry, and molecular methods.
- Treatment combines surgery and/or long-term antibiotics, with some shorter oral regimens showing success.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Actinomycosis is a rare subacute or chronic, endogenous infection mainly by Actinomyces species, showing low virulence through fimbriae and biofilms. Cervicofacial, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic and sometimes cerebral, laryngeal, urinary and other regions can be affected. Actinomycosis mimics other diseases, often malignancy. Disease risk in immunocompromised subjects needs clarification. Diagnosis is often delayed and 'sulfur granules' are helpful but nonspecific. Culture requires immediate specimen transport and prolonged anaerobic incubation. Imaging, histology, cytology, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and molecular methods improve the diagnosis. Actinomycetes are β-lactam susceptible, occasionally resistant. Treatment includes surgery and/or long-term parenteral then oral antibiotics, but some 1-4-week regimens or oral therapy alone were curative. For prophylaxis, oral hygiene and regular intrauterine device replacement are important.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Future Microbiology, 2015 · DOI ↗
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Field: Microbiology
MicrobiologyMedicine