ACTINOMYCOSIS

'Actinomycosis' ''(ak-tuh-nuh-my-KOH-sihs)'', is a rare infectious bacterial disease of humans generally caused by ''Actinomyces israelii'', ''A. gerencseriae'' and ''Propionibacterium propionicus'', though the condition is likely to be polymicrobial. Actinomycosis ''in:'' Baron's Medical Microbiology ''(Baron S ''et al'', eds.), Bowden GHW, , , Univ of Texas Medical Branch, 1996, (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1 Characterized by the formation of painful abscesses in the mouth, lungs, or digestive organs, actinomycosis abscesses grow larger as the disease progresses, often over a period of months. In severe cases, the abscesses may penetrate the surrounding bone and muscle to the skin, where they break open and leak large amounts of pus.
Actinomycosis occurs in cattle and other animals as a disease called ''lumpy jaw''. This name refers to the large abscesses that grow on the head and neck of the infected animal.

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Causative organism

References

Causative organism

Actinomycosis is primarily caused by any of several members of the bacterial genus ''Actinomyces''. These bacteria are generally anaerobes. Sherris Medical Microbiology, Ryan KJ; Ray CG (editors), , , McGraw Hill, 2004, ISBN 0838585299 ''Actinomyces'' spp. normally live in the small spaces between the teeth and gums, causing infection only when they can multiply freely in anoxic environments. The three most common sites of infection are decayed teeth, the lungs, and the intestines.
Since ''Actinomyces'' bacteria are generally sensitive to penicillin, it is frequently used to treat actinomycosis.

References