How is actinomycosis diagnosed?
How is actinomycosis diagnosed?
To diagnose actinomycosis, a doctor may take a sample of sputum, pus, or tissue to send for microscopic investigation in a laboratory. Sometimes, the laboratory will make a culture of the bacteria. If the infection is present, the pus or tissue will usually contain yellow sulfur granules.
What is Cervicofacial?
adj. Relating to the neck and the face.
Which is another name used for Actinomycosis?
Actinomycosis occurs rarely in humans, but rather frequently in cattle as a disease called “lumpy jaw”. This name refers to the large abscesses that grow on the head and neck of the infected animal.
What is a Cervicofacial flap?
The cervicofacial flap is a rotational and advancement flap with random blood supply utilized to close moderate- to large-sized defects of the cheek. Depending on the location of the cheek defect, the flap can be pedicled either anteriorly or posteriorly.
What is actinomycosis?
Actinomycosis is a long-term (chronic) bacterial infection that commonly affects the face and neck.
What causes oral cervicofacial actinomycosis?
Oral-cervicofacial actinomycosis is caused by an infection by normal commensal (endogenous) organisms of humans and does not require contact with an infected individual. The pathogen is a filamentous bacteria of the genus Actinomyces, usually the anaerobic, gram-positive, Actinomyces israelii.
What is the pathophysiology of Actinomyces?
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY• In general, Actinomyces species, being members of the normal flora, are agents of low pathogenicity and require disruption of the mucosal barrier to cause disease. Oral and cervicofacial diseases are commonly associated with dental procedures, trauma, oral surgery, or dental sepsis.
What is the best penicillin for cervicofacial actinomycosis?
Penicillin has remained the standard of treatment for cervicofacial actinomycosis. Penicillin G IV 10 to 20 million units/day for 2 to 6 weeks followed by several months of oral penicillin V, 2 to 4 g/day is usually effective. Several other antibiotics have proven to be good alternatives for penicillin-allergic patients.
What are the treatment options for actinomycosis?
Treatment of actinomycosis consists of surgical drainage and debridement followed by a high daily dose of penicillin for at least 10 days. Large lesions require an extended course of IV-administered penicillin to achieve a complete cure.
