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Actinomycosis is a chronic medical condition resulted mostly from Actinomyces israelii, a bacterium which may appear on the tonsils, teeth and gums. Actinomycosis results in developing abscess at few sites. It exists in 4 forms, and most frequently occurs in adult men. This infection may appear in women, who use such contraceptive, as IUD (intrauterine device). The abdominal form of Actinomycosis is resulted from swallowing secretion from mouth, infected with the bacteria. The infection damages the peritoneum and intestines. Common symptoms of abdominal actinomycosis include fever, pain, significant weight loss, constipation or diarrhea, as well as vomiting. Mass progresses in the abdomen and pus can drain to the skin through channels, which connects the mass with the abdominal wall. The Cervicofacial form (also known as lumpy jaw) commonly starts as a flat, small, hard inflammation on the skin of the neck, below the jaw or in the mouth. In some cases, the swelling may result in pain. Frequently, soft areas progress that discharge-a fluid consisting of round, small, yellowish sulfur granules. This infection can then spread to brain and its lining (meninges), tongue, cheeks, skull bone, salivary gland and throat. The Thoracic form of actinomycosis results in fever, chest pain, and coughing. Such symptoms cannot happen unless the lungs are severely damaged. Tracts can even perforate the wall of chest, letting pus to drain through the skin. Generalized form of actinomycosis, and infection of blood spreads to the spinal vertebrae, brain, kidney, skin, uretes; and ovaries and uterus in women. Diagnosis of actinomycosis consisists of X-ray tests, as well as isolation of the actinomyces israelii bacterium in tissue, sputum, and pus samples. In some cases, a surgery is required to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment of Actinomycosis depends on its form. Cervicofacial form (lumpy jaw) is treated most easily. In abdominal, thoracic or generalized cases, the prognosis is poor. The prognosis becomes worse, when spinal cord and brain are damaged. More than 50% of individuals have neurologic damage and more than 25% die as a result. Most individuals become better slowly with a cure, but antibiotic treatment is needed for months, and repeated procedures, which are surgical related are frequently required.
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