Actinomyces

Question 1

Actinomycetes israelli

Answer 1

Anaerobic
Branching rods
Non-acid fast

Question 2

Reservoir

Answer 2

Human normal flora of gingival crevices and camel genital tract

Question 3

Transmission

Answer 3

Endogenous

Question 4

Pathogenesis

Answer 4

Invasive growth in tissues with reduced oxygen supply

Question 5

Disease: actinomycosis

Answer 5

Not painful, very invasive penetrating all tissues including bone
Tissue swelling can lead to draining abscesses with sulfur granules (hard yellow micro colonies) in exudate
Only in tissues with low oxygen
Cervicofacial (lumpy jaw) : dental trauma or poor oral hygiene
Pelvic: from thoracic or sometimes IUDs
Abdominal: surgery or bowel trauma
Thoracic: aspiration with contiguous spread
CNS: solidarity brain abscess (nocardia will produce multiple foci)

Question 6

Diagnosis

Answer 6

Identify gram positive
Sulfur granules
Colonies resemble molar tooth

Question 7

Treatment

Answer 7

Penicillin and surgical drainage