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Actinomycosis

Last reviewed: 5 Oct 2024
Last updated: 11 May 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • soft-tissue swelling
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • multiple sinuses
  • skin discoloration
  • chewing difficulties
  • constitutional symptoms
  • change in bowel habits
  • abdominal discomfort
  • nausea and vomiting
  • sensation of abdominal mass
  • vaginal bleeding or discharge
  • dry or productive cough
  • blood-streaked sputum
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • focal neurologic defects
Full details

Risk factors

  • male sex
  • injury or inflammation of the oral cavity
  • diabetes mellitus
  • immunosuppression
  • local tissue damage by neoplasia, trauma, or irradiation
  • intrauterine device
  • aspiration
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • culture of pus or affected tissue
  • histology of affected tissue
  • immunohistology
  • CBC
  • CT or MRI of abdomen
Full details

Emerging tests

  • PCR of affected tissue

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

non-penicillin allergic

penicillin allergic

Contributors

Authors

Thomas Schneider, MD, PhD

Professor

Medical Department I

Charité - University Medicine Berlin

CBF

Berlin

Germany

Disclosures

TS is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Verena Moos, PhD

Scientist

Medical Department I

Charité - University Medicine Berlin

CBF

Berlin

Germany

Disclosures

VM is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Peer reviewers

Johannes R. Bogner, MD

Professor of Internal Medicine

Department of Infectious Diseases

Medical Polyclinic

University Hospital Munich

Munich

Germany

Disclosures

JRB declares that he has no competing interests.

Chris Huston, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Division of Infectious Diseases

University of Vermont

Burlington

VT

Disclosures

CH declares that he has no competing interests.

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