Six Cases of Cervical Actinomycosis

Abstract

Actinomycosis is an unusual subacute chronic disease caused by gram-positive anaerobic organisms such as Actinomycetes israelii, A. bovis, A. odontolyticus, and A. viscosus. Actinomycetes are prominent among the normal flora of the oral cavity. Because these organisms are not virulent, a break in the integrity of mucosa is necessary to cause human illness. Three common forms of illness are cervicofacial, thoracic and abdominopelvic actinomycosis. Cervicofacial form is the most common (55%) and often occurs after oral surgery, tooth extraction and cervicofacial trauma. Cervicofacial actinomycosis is characterized by initial soft tissue swelling, along with development of fistulas that discharge purulent yellow sulfur-like material (sulfur granules). Sulfur granule is the pathognomonic pathologic finding of actinomycosis but it has not been reported in all cases. Here, we report 6 cases of cervical actinomycosis that were trea-ted with surgical intervention and administration of proper antibiotics, with the review of literatures.