Cutaneous actinomycosis
SpecialtyDermatology

Cutaneous actinomycosis is a chronic disease that affects the deep subcutaneous tissue of the skin. Caused by an anaerobic, Gram-positive, filamentous type of bacteria in the genus Actinomyces,[1]: 270  invasion of the soft tissue leads to the formation of abnormal channels leading to the skin surface (external sinus tracts) that discharge pale yellow sulfur granules.[2]

This disease is uncommon, and has non-specific clinical features, making it difficult to diagnose.[3]

Cervicofacial, pulmonary/thoracic and gastrointestinal forms exist, yet cervicofacial disease accounts for two-thirds of reported infections.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
  2. ^ Patil D, Siddaramappa B, Manjunathswamy BS, Pandit AM, Dastikop S, Fernandes C, Kutre S, Angolkar M (2008). "Primary cutaneous actinomycosis". International Journal of Dermatology. 47 (12): 1271–3. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03854.x. PMID 19126014. S2CID 205395085.
  3. ^ Roy D, Roy PG, Misra PK (2003). "An interesting case of primary cutaneous actinomycosis". Dermatology Online Journal. 9 (5): 17. PMID 14996390.
  4. ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. pp. 1103–4. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.


Categories