Actinomycosis pathophysiology

Actinomycosis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Actinomycosis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Actinomycosis pathophysiology On the Web
Most recent articles
cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Actinomycosis pathophysiology All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Actinomycosis pathophysiology
CDC on Actinomycosis pathophysiology
Actinomycosis pathophysiology in the news
Blogs on Actinomycosis pathophysiology
to Hospitals Treating Actinomycosis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Actinomycosis pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Pathophysiology

• Actinomycosis is caused by the bacteria Actinomyces which is a normal commensal of the human oral cavity but less common in the female genital tract and lower gastrointestinal tract.
• The common clinical forms of are:

• Cervicofacial actinomycosis (lumpy jaw)
• Thoracic actinomycosis
• Abdominal actinomycosis
• Pelvic actinomycosis
• Dermatologic actinomycosis
• Pediatric actinomycosis
• Opthalmological actinomycosis

Pathogenesis

• Actinomyces does not grow in oxygen rich environment. When there is a break through the protective lining surrounding the cavities (from mouth to rectum), the Actinomycetales penetrate through the deeper tissues where the bacteria grow rapidly due to low oxygen levels.

Types	Site of Infection	Source of infection	Pathogenesis
Cervicofacial actinomycosis	Neck Jaw Mouth	Dental problems like tooth decay	Most common type of actinomycosis 50% of cases
Thoracic actinomycosis	Lungs Pleura Chest wall Mediastinum	Inhalation of droplets of contaminated fluid Aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions or gastric contents Direct extension of cervicofacial infection into the mediastinum Transdiaphragmatic or retroperitoneal spread from the abdomen Hematogenous spread	15%-20% of cases
Abdominal actinomycosis	Abdomen	Secondary to abdominal infections like appendicitis Accidental swallowing of a foreign body such as chicken bone containing the actinomycetes bacteria Penetrating trauma Perforation of the gut (e.g., the colon or appendix) Surgical manipulation of GI tract	20% of cases
Pelvic actinomycosis	Pelvis	Occurs most commonly in woman as the bacteria passes from the female genitals into the pelvis Long-term use of IUD type of contraceptive	10% of cases
Central nervous system actinomycosis	CNS	Secondary to hematogenous spread from primary infection in the lung, abdomen, or pelvis Direct extension from paranasal sinuses, ears, and cervicofacial regions	Types of lesions Brain abscess (67%) Meningitis or meningoencephalitis (13%) Actinomycoma (7%) Subdural empyema (6%) Epidural abscess (6%) Brain abscess Especially in temporal and frontal lobes Majority are encapsulated abscesses (72%)

References

Template:Bacterial diseases