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Journal of Infection and Public Health Apr 2023Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare infection caused by the bacterial species actinomyces. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of pulmonary actinomycosis to... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare infection caused by the bacterial species actinomyces. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of pulmonary actinomycosis to improve awareness and knowledge. The literature was analysed using databases including Pubmed, Medline and Embase from 1974 to 2021. After inclusion and exclusion, a total of 142 papers were reviewed. Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare disease occurring in approximately 1 per 3,000,000 people annually. Historically, pulmonary actinomycosis was a common infection with high mortality; however, the infection has become rarer since the widespread use of penicillins. Actinomycosis is known as "the great masquerade"; however, it can be differentiated from other diseases with acid-fast negative ray-like bacilli and sulphur granules being pathognomonic. Complications of the infection include empyema, endocarditis, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and sepsis. The mainstay of treatment is prolonged antibiotic therapy, with adjuvant surgery in severe cases. Future research should focus on multiple areas, including the potential risk secondary to immunosuppression from newer immunotherapies, the utility of newer diagnostic techniques and ongoing surveillance post-therapy.
Topics: Humans; Actinomycosis; Actinomyces; Lung Diseases; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Penicillins
PubMed: 36801629
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.02.004 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Apr 2015Actinomyces israelii has long been recognized as a causative agent of actinomycosis. During the past 3 decades, a large number of novel Actinomyces species have been... (Review)
Review
Actinomyces israelii has long been recognized as a causative agent of actinomycosis. During the past 3 decades, a large number of novel Actinomyces species have been described. Their detection and identification in clinical microbiology laboratories and recognition as pathogens in clinical settings can be challenging. With the introduction of advanced molecular methods, knowledge about their clinical relevance is gradually increasing, and the spectrum of diseases associated with Actinomyces and Actinomyces-like organisms is widening accordingly; for example, Actinomyces meyeri, Actinomyces neuii, and Actinomyces turicensis as well as Actinotignum (formerly Actinobaculum) schaalii are emerging as important causes of specific infections at various body sites. In the present review, we have gathered this information to provide a comprehensive and microbiologically consistent overview of the significance of Actinomyces and some closely related taxa in human infections.
Topics: Actinomyces; Actinomycosis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Classification; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 25788515
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00100-14 -
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de... 2022
Topics: Humans; Actinomycosis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 36287474
DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0315-2022 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Aug 2003Intra-abdominal and extraperitoneal actinomycosis are rare infections, caused by different Actinomyces species. However, they have been diagnosed more frequently in the...
Intra-abdominal and extraperitoneal actinomycosis are rare infections, caused by different Actinomyces species. However, they have been diagnosed more frequently in the last ten years. We report three cases of abdominal actinomycosis and a literature review of the last eight years. All three patients were diagnosed by means of histopathologic examination only. In one case, an intrauterine device (IUD) was associated with the infection. Therapy consisted of surgical resection of the inflammatory, infected tissue, and long-term antibiotic therapy. All patients are free of recurrence. Abdominal actinomycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of an abdominal pathology of insidious onset, especially when an IUD is in place. Even when infection had spread extensively, combined operative and antibiotic therapy cured most of the cases.
Topics: Abdominal Abscess; Actinomycosis; Adult; Aged; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Intrauterine Devices; Male; Middle Aged
PubMed: 14616714
DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0691.2003.00653.x -
QJM : Monthly Journal of the... Nov 2021
Topics: Actinomycosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans
PubMed: 33682880
DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcab048 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Sep 2018
Topics: Actinomycosis; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 30207906
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1802090 -
Atencion Primaria Oct 2020
Topics: Abdominal Wall; Actinomycosis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans
PubMed: 32576382
DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2020.04.009 -
BMJ Case Reports Aug 2012Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection caused by species of Actinomyces and characterised by abscess formation, tissue fibrosis, suppurative lesions and fistulas with...
Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection caused by species of Actinomyces and characterised by abscess formation, tissue fibrosis, suppurative lesions and fistulas with purulent discharge containing sulphur granules. Owing to its multiform manners of presentation and non-specificity from its clinical features, it has been considered as a challenging diagnosis. Periapical actinomycosis is one of the rarest forms of actinomycosis occurring in the maxillofacial region. In its occurrence it presents in the form of persistent and recurrent draining fistula in the periapical region. We report a case of periapical actinomycosis occurred in endodontically treated teeth and accidentally found to be actinomycosis during histopatological examination. An insight towards the portal of entry of the organisms into the periapical region is also discussed. The practice of sending even a tiny bit of tissues to histopathology obtained from periapical surgery will very well demonstrate this disease and help in rapid resolution through appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Topics: Actinomycosis; Adult; Amoxicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dental Fistula; Humans; Male; Periapical Diseases; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 22854234
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2012-006218 -
BMJ Case Reports Apr 2021A 33-year-old man without significant medical history presented to the emergency department with a 6-month history of fatigue and 30 pounds of unintentional weight loss,...
A 33-year-old man without significant medical history presented to the emergency department with a 6-month history of fatigue and 30 pounds of unintentional weight loss, with a recent cough and fever over the past week. He recalled two similar illnesses during college that did not require medical care. He denied tobacco use but reported inhaling marijuana 1-2 times daily over the past year with a vaping device. Physical exam was notable for a temperature of 100.0°F and an elevated blood pressure at 161/77 mm Hg. He was diaphoretic with clear breath sounds bilaterally. Chest imaging revealed diffuse ground glass opacities with subpleural sparing and mildly enlarged hilar lymph nodes. Bronchoscopy with transbronchial lung biopsies and needle aspirate of lymph nodes revealed organising pneumonia, and subsequent cultures grew He was treated with amoxicillin and corticosteroids with subsequent resolution on repeat chest imaging.
Topics: Actinomycosis; Adult; Cannabis; Cough; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Vaping
PubMed: 33795280
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-240973 -
The European Respiratory Journal Mar 2003Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare but important and challenging diagnosis to make. Even when the clinical suspicion is high, the disease is commonly confused with other... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare but important and challenging diagnosis to make. Even when the clinical suspicion is high, the disease is commonly confused with other chronic suppurative lung diseases and with malignancy. An early, accurate diagnosis will prevent the considerable psychological and physical morbidity, including unwarranted surgery, associated with delayed diagnosis. The clinical, radiological and therapeutic characteristics of the infection are reviewed here. Respiratory physicians should be aware of this important differential when investigating patients for persistent pulmonary shadowing. This will expedite the diagnosis of an otherwise highly treatable condition with an excellent prognosis if picked up early.
Topics: Actinomycosis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bronchoscopy; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Incidence; Lung Diseases; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Prognosis; Radiography, Thoracic; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 12662015
DOI: 10.1183/09031936.03.00089103