What is an Actinomyces?

Actinomycosis is a rare, infectious disease in which bacteria spread from one part of the body to another through body tissues. Over time, it can result in linked abscesses, pain, and inflammation. It can affect the skin or deeper areas within the body and sometimes the blood.

Should Actinomyces be treated?

In most cases of actinomycosis, antimicrobial therapy is the only treatment required, although surgery can be adjunctive in selected cases. Penicillin G is the drug of choice for treating infections caused by actinomycetes.

Is Actinomyces a bacteria or fungi?

Actinomycetes are a group of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the order Actinomycetales. These organisms are phylogenetically diverse but morphologically similar, exhibiting characteristic filamentous branching structures which then fragment into bacillary or coccoid forms (1) (Figure 1).

Which disease is caused by actinomycetes?

Actinomycosis is a rare chronic disease caused by Actinomyces spp., anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria that normally colonize the human mouth and digestive and genital tracts.

Is Actinomyces a mold?

meyeri and A. israelii are obligate anaerobe), and they grow best under anaerobic conditions. Actinomyces species may form endospores, and while individual bacteria are rod-shaped, Actinomyces colonies form fungus-like branched networks of hyphae….

Actinomyces
Genus:	Actinomyces Harz 1877
Species

How do I know if I have Actinomyces?

1. Actinomyces species are uncommon human bacterial pathogens that can cause a wide variety of invasive infections (1).
2. Upon microscopic examination, Actinomyces isolates typically appear as Gram-positive bacilli that may be coryneform-like with palisading or branching structures and have a positive catalase reaction.

What does Actinomyces look like?

Actinomyces species are facultatively anaerobic (except A. meyeri and A. israelii are obligate anaerobe), and they grow best under anaerobic conditions. Actinomyces species may form endospores, and while individual bacteria are rod-shaped, Actinomyces colonies form fungus-like branched networks of hyphae.

Is Actinomyces contagious?

The infection is not contagious. This means it does not spread to other people. Symptoms occur when the bacteria enter the tissues of the face after trauma, surgery, or infection.

Where is Actinomyces found?

Actinomycosis is usually caused by the bacterium called Actinomyces israelii. This is a common organism found in the nose and throat. It normally does not cause disease. Because of the bacteria’s normal location in the nose and throat, actinomycosis most commonly affects the face and neck.

What kind of disease is actinomycosis in humans?

Typical actinomycosis in humans is a chronic disease caused by Actinomyces israelii, A gerencseriae and Propionibacterium propionicus (previously Arachnia propionica). The infection is characterized by persisting swelling, suppuration, and formation of abscesses with draining sinuses.

Where was Actinomyces odontolyticus bacteremia found?

Further instances of bacteremia may be expected in immunosuppressed patients. Actinomycosis is a disease of antiquity, having most likely infected the jaw of a fossil rhinoceros ( 1) and the ribs of a man discovered in southeastern Ontario, Canada, who by radiocarbon dating lived 230 A.D. + 55 ( 2 ).

What should you do if you have actinomycosis?

The diagnosis of actinomycosis and other infections involving Actinomyces, including those in compromised patients is confirmed by isolation and identification of the bacteria. Control Good oral hygiene may help in prevention of actinomycosis.

What kind of disease can Actinomyces bovis cause?

Actinomyces bovis causes granulomatous infections in cattle; however, this species has never been proven as a human pathogen and earlier reports of human A. bovis infections most probably were due to A. israelii ( 5, 47 ). Ten additional Actinobacillus species have as yet solely been isolated from animal sources.