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actinomycosis |
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actinomycosis (ăk'tənōmīkō`sĭs), chronic suppurative infection that occurs around the face and neck. The disease is characterized by the formation of abscesses, or pus-filled cavities, below the surface of the skin. These abscesses spread rapidly and form channels that discharge a yellow granular pus on the surface of the skin. In humans these granules consist of Actinomyces israelii, a bacterium that used to be considered a fungus. Actinomycosis also sometimes affects the lungs, appendix, or the pelvic region, especially in women with certain kinds of intrauterine devices. Treatment consists of prolonged therapy with massive doses of penicillin and drainage by surgery. Actinomycosis also occurs in horses, cattle, swine, and dogs; it resembles human actinomycosis, but is caused by various other species of Actinomyces. actinomycosis [‚ak·tə·nō‚mī′kō·səs] (medicine) An infectious bacterial disease caused byActinomyces bovisin cattle, hogs, and occasionally in humans. Also known as lumpy jaw. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| ? Mentioned in | ? References in periodicals archive | |
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Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative infection of the
cervicofacial region caused by Actinomyces species, which are anaerobic,
gram-positive filamentous bacteria. Actinomycosis is a disease of antiquity, having most likely
infected the jaw of a fossil rhinoceros (1) and the ribs of a man
discovered in southeastern Ontario, Canada, who by radiocarbon dating
lived 230 A. In 1982 it deemed
hyperbaric oxygen therapy unacceptable for arhritis, investigational for
chronic osteomyelitis and as-yet-unproven for actinomycosis, a fungal
infection. |
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