Actinomycosis
Key Facts
Etiology/Pathogenesis
Actinomyces israelii
Common saprophyte of the mouth and tonsils
Other types isolated from infections include
A. naeslundii
A. propionicus
A. eriksonii
Clinical Issues
May involve the following areas
Cervicofacial area
Lungs
Abdomen
Microscopic Pathology
Suppurative pneumonia
Abscess formation
Presence of “sulfur” granules in the abscess
 Low-power view shows suppurative pneumonia with abscess formation  . The rest of the lung parenchyma shows acute fibrinous pneumonia. |
 High-power view of the abscess shows the presence of acute inflammatory cells. Actinomycosis  with the characteristic grains is present in the center. |
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Chronic suppurative infectious condition
ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
Infectious Agents
Actinomyces israelii
Common saprophyte of the mouth and tonsils
Other types isolated from infections include
A. naeslundii
A. propionicus
A. eriksonii
CLINICAL ISSUES
