Actinomyces

Actinomyces spp. 

• Characteristics
  • Gram + rod in branching filaments
    • Forms long, branching filaments resembling fungi
    • Note: Nocardia is also a gram + filamentous rod
  • Produces yellow granules (“sulfur granules”)
    • Yellow bacterial aggregates bound together by proteins
    • Do not actually contain sulfur; named due to sulfur-like yellow color
  • Anaerobic
    • Contrast vs. Nocardia, which is aerobic
  • Does not stain acid-fast
    • Contrast vs. Nocardia, which stains acid-fast
• Transmission
  • Infections usually follow dental work or oral trauma
    • Found in normal oral, reproductive, and GI flora
• Presentation
  • Oral/facial abscesses
    • Presents as slow-growing firm abscesses in face/neck
    • Contrast vs. Nocardia, which usually presents with pulmonary infections 
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
    • IUDs
• Treatment
  • Penicillin
    • Tetracyclines may be used in patients with penicillin allergy
  • Surgical debridement