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Endoscopy Aug 2022
Topics: Actinomycosis; Duodenal Neoplasms; Duodenum; Humans; Surgical Instruments
PubMed: 34496433
DOI: 10.1055/a-1540-6468 -
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health Jun 2023Actinomycosis is a rare subacute to chronic granulomatous infection which can mimic other infectious or malignant diseases. This study examined the epidemiology and...
AIM
Actinomycosis is a rare subacute to chronic granulomatous infection which can mimic other infectious or malignant diseases. This study examined the epidemiology and treatment outcome of actinomycosis in children.
METHODS
A retrospective study on children admitted for actinomycosis in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Singapore, from January 2004 to December 2020. Clinical profile, therapeutic interventions and outcomes were examined.
RESULTS
A total of 10 patients were identified; 7 were female. The median age at first presentation was 9.8 years (range 4.7-15.7). The most common presenting symptom was fever (n = 6, 60%), followed by facial or neck swelling (n = 3, 30%) and ear pain (n = 3, 30%). Actinomycosis occurred predominantly in the orocervicofacial region (n = 6, 60%). Four patients (40%) had preceding dental infections in the form of dental caries or gingivitis. One patient had poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Actinomycosis was confirmed via culture in four patients, histopathology in four patients and both methods in two patients. All except one patient (n = 9, 90%) underwent surgical procedures. All patients received ampicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate or other beta-lactams, for a median duration of 6.5 months (range 1.5-14). Complications included osteomyelitis (n = 4, 40%), mastoiditis (n = 2, 20%), brain abscess (n = 1, 10%) and recurrent neck abscess (n = 1, 10%). There was no mortality and all patients achieved complete resolution.
CONCLUSIONS
Paediatric actinomycosis was rare in our 16-year review, but had a high complication rate. It can occur in immunocompetent patients, and dental infection was the predominant risk factor identified. Prognosis was excellent after surgical intervention and appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Topics: Humans; Child; Female; Child, Preschool; Adolescent; Male; Retrospective Studies; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Actinomyces; Dental Caries; Actinomycosis
PubMed: 37017147
DOI: 10.1111/jpc.16400 -
Asian Journal of Surgery Apr 2020
Topics: Actinomycosis; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Sex Factors; Urachus; Young Adult
PubMed: 31924416
DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2019.12.007 -
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Mar 2021Actinomycosis is an opportunistic infection caused by bacteria of the Actinomyces spp., commonly A. israelii. These are non-pathogenic commensals in the mouth, gut, and...
Actinomycosis is an opportunistic infection caused by bacteria of the Actinomyces spp., commonly A. israelii. These are non-pathogenic commensals in the mouth, gut, and female genital tract. An infection may arise following trauma or surgery, such as tooth extraction. More than half of cases of actinomycosis occur in the perimandibular area and are termed cervicofacial actinomycosis. Initially, the infection develops as a painful, rapidly progressive swelling. The lesion may then indurate and is often painless while the overlying skin discolors red to purple-blue. Prolonged treatment with antibiotics and surgery are often required for resolution, unless treatment is promptly started. However, diagnosis may be delayed or missed because of difficult bacterial culturing and frequent confusion with malignancy and other infections. This case study describes six patients who developed cervicofacial actinomycosis following third molar extraction. The purpose of this study is to inform clinicians on this stubborn and deceitful disease entity and to highlight the importance of clinical recognition for quick resolution with minimal morbidity.
Topics: Actinomycosis; Actinomycosis, Cervicofacial; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Female; Humans; Molar, Third; Tooth Extraction
PubMed: 32820354
DOI: 10.1007/s10006-020-00896-x -
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery :... Oct 2022
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Actinomycosis; Humans
PubMed: 35474560
DOI: 10.1007/s11605-022-05331-y -
Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Dec 2021Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection triggered by species of Actinomyces. Although thoracic involvement represents about 15% of human actinomycosis, its true... (Review)
Review
Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection triggered by species of Actinomyces. Although thoracic involvement represents about 15% of human actinomycosis, its true incidence may be underestimated, not only because of its challenging diagnosis, but also because it can be treated unintentionally with antibiotics for other diseases. In this sense, this work aims at providing an up-to-date literature review on thoracic actinomycoses, with particular emphasis on presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, also paving upcoming clinical interventions from findings obtained of a presentation of a case series. Data discussed here clearly denote the rarity, non-specificity and heterogeneity of clinical presentations of the disease, reinforcing the need for individualized therapeutic approaches.
Topics: Actinomyces; Actinomycosis; Bronchiectasis; Humans; Lung Diseases; Persistent Infection
PubMed: 34571094
DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2021.102078 -
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of... Feb 2003
Review
Topics: Actinomyces; Actinomycosis; Ciprofloxacin; Diagnosis, Differential; Erythromycin; Humans; Penicillins; Prognosis
PubMed: 12722245
DOI: No ID Found -
European Journal of Cardio-thoracic... Dec 1998Thoracic actinomycosis is a disease that is difficult to diagnose because its appearance varies from similarities with bronchogenic carcinoma to pneumonitis-like...
OBJECTIVE
Thoracic actinomycosis is a disease that is difficult to diagnose because its appearance varies from similarities with bronchogenic carcinoma to pneumonitis-like tuberculosis infections. Therefore the majority of patients undergo operations for diagnosis. We had seven patients with thoracic actinomycosis which were not diagnosed before operation.
METHODS
Between July 1990 and November 1997, seven patients with thoracic actinomycosis were diagnosed after thoracotomy in our centre. They all had non-specific symptoms and radiographic findings, so we failed to diagnose the disease during preoperative examinations. Therefore they all underwent thoracotomy for diagnosis. Four patients were operated because of suspicion of malignancy, two patients were operated because of pulmonary infiltration and abscess formation and one patient because of undiagnosed pulmonary infiltration. Lobectomy was performed in five of them because of destroyed lobes, and wedge resection was performed in two patients. In two patients the disease was diagnosed by fresh smears obtained from specimens in the course of operation and confirmed histopathologically and in the others histopathologically in the postoperative period.
RESULTS
Three major complications, acute renal failure, empyema and persistent air leakage developed in three cases after the operations. Bronchopleural fistula was found in only one of them and the patient died because of uncontrolled infection and sepsis on the 26th postoperative day. All of the other six cases are still alive. We did not observe any other problem in their long-term follow-up. All patients regularly took 20 million units/day of intravenous crystalline penicillin G when they were in the hospital. After that, antibiotic treatment was completed up to 2 months with procaine penicillin.
CONCLUSIONS
Sometimes diagnosis of the actinomycosis of the lung is very difficult although it is an infection. In that case thoracotomy is needed for the diagnosis and sometimes for the treatment. In some cases because of the irreversible parenchymal change resective surgery may be needed. Actinomyces israelii infections should be suspected of in chronic infiltrative, nodular, cavitary process and tumour-like mass lesions besides other most probable causes. After diagnosed, it is treated using penicillin chemotherapy at least for 2 months.
Topics: Actinomycosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Thoracotomy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Turkey
PubMed: 9879868
DOI: 10.1016/s1010-7940(98)00240-1 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Apr 2010Infections in the female pelvis can present clinically in various ways and the causing agent can be difficult to trace. In this paper we present updated knowledge about... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Infections in the female pelvis can present clinically in various ways and the causing agent can be difficult to trace. In this paper we present updated knowledge about infections caused by the bacterium Actinomycosis in relation to intrauterine device use.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The article is based on own clinical experience and literature identified through a non-systematic search in PubMed.
RESULTS
Actinomycosis in the female pelvis is a rare disease and the pathogenesis is still obscure. The incidence in Scandinavia has not been established. The infection can cause tumor-like structures resulting in bowel and urinary obstruction. The bacteria can be difficult to detect. Preferably the agent should be demonstrated in a specimen from the infected area to ensure the correct diagnosis. However, Actinomyces is a normal inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract and is also present in 5 % of cervical smears from healthy women. The optimal treatment of actinomycosis is long-term treatment with penicillin, alone or in addition to surgery.
INTERPRETATION
To avoid unnecessary and potentially difficult surgical procedures, actinomycosis should be a differential diagnosis when women with a longstanding intrauterine device develop signs of infection in addition to a pelvic mass. Intrauterine devices should be replaced every fifth year and should be removed at menopause.
Topics: Actinomycosis; Device Removal; Diagnosis, Differential; Equipment Contamination; Female; Humans; Intrauterine Devices; Pelvic Infection
PubMed: 20418928
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.09.0773 -
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and... May 2010Actinomycosis is a rare disease with a typically indolent course in the head and neck. During the modern era, only 12 cases within the ear and temporal bone and 75... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Actinomycosis is a rare disease with a typically indolent course in the head and neck. During the modern era, only 12 cases within the ear and temporal bone and 75 intracranial cases have been reported. We present a case of actinomycosis of the petrous apex that led to meningitis and encephalitis.
METHODS
The patient was a 12-year-old girl who presented with mental status changes. After 48 hours of treatment with empiric antibiotics for meningitis without improvement, imaging revealed an enhancing mass in the right petrous apex, destruction of the cochlea, meningeal enhancement, and left temporoparietal encephalitis.
RESULTS
The initial therapy included broad-spectrum antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral agents, as well as myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement. When the patient's clinical status worsened, she underwent subtotal petrosectomy with drainage of the petrous apex. The final pathologic findings were consistent with actinomycosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Actinomycosis is a rare infection in the temporal bone and central nervous system that can have a high mortality risk if not treated appropriately. Often, these bacteria do not grow well in culture, and diagnosis must be made on the basis of histopathologic features. Good clinical outcomes can be obtained with surgical debridement followed by long-term antibiotic treatment.
Topics: Actinomycosis; Child; Encephalitis; Female; Humans; Meningitis, Bacterial; Temporal Bone
PubMed: 20524576
DOI: 10.1177/000348941011900507