Medical Dictionary Search Engines

Please be patient! It may take up to ONE minute to load all the Engines.
Problems? Please contact our support.

/encyclopedia


Search For
Drug
Health
Encyclopedia

Specialty Search
--AIDS
--Cancer
--Diabetes
--Stroke


viagra

cialis

levitra






















Other encyclopedia topics: A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9   

Pulmonary actinomycosis


Alternative names

Actinomycosis pulmonary

Definition

Pulmonary actinomycosis is a bacterial lung infection caused by actinomyces or propionibacteria.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The organisms that cause this disease are normally found in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, where they do not usually cause harm. Poor dental hygiene and dental abscess can predispose people to facial lesions and lung infections caused by these bacteria.

Actinomycosis in the lungs causes lung cavities, lung nodules, and pleural effusions . The infection can cross the normal tissue boundaries of the chest producing for example, draining sinuses through the muscles and skin of the chest wall. The disease is rare and may occur at any age, but most affected patients are 30-60 years old.

Men are affected more frequently than women.

Symptoms

  • lethargy
  • weight loss
  • fever
  • cough with sputum
  • draining sinuses
  • night sweats
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain

Signs and tests

  • CBC showing anemia
  • chest X-ray
  • chest CT scan
  • culture of specific tissue
  • bronchoscopy with culture
  • surgical lung biopsy
  • thoracentesis with culture
  • specific tissue or fluid analysis for sulfur granules

Treatment

The objective of therapy is to control the infection, but response is slow. Prolonged therapy with penicillin or a substitute is necessary to ensure a cure. Surgical drainage of the pleural effusion may be necessary to control the infection.

Expectations (prognosis)

The probable outcome is good after treatment with antibiotics.

Complications

  • sinus tracts in the neck, face, or chest
  • brain abscess
  • meningitis
  • osteomyelitis
  • empyema

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if symptoms of pulmonary actinomycosis develop.

Also call if symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop.

Prevention

Good dental hygiene helps prevent actinomycosis.

Update Date: 7/17/2002

David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

©2009 medical-dictionary-search-engines.com [Privacy Policy] [Disclaimer]
Last updated: Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:20:03 GMT
82:165:250:120:medical-dictionary-search-enginescom:0902