Cervicofacial actinomycosis: in the presence of mandibular bone loss

Bilateral mixed density lesions in the body of the mandible

A patient with actinomycosis involving the right and left body of the mandible is reported. Such a diagnosis, although not common, should be considered when formulating a differential diagnosis of such mixed radiopaque-radiolucent lesions. Proper collection of a specimen, transplant, and culture under anaerobic conditions is imperative if a laboratory diagnosis is to be made. A biopsy, yielding the characteristic histopathological features of actinomycosis infection, is frequently adequate for diagnosis and treatment.

Actinomycosis after cyst enucleation

A case report of actinomycosis associated with bony sequestra resulting from a post-operative infection of a dental cyst in a young patient is presented. The need for careful wound debridement as a prophylactic measure is emphasized.

Actinomyces of infected dental root canals

The aim of the present study was to identity Actinomyces occurring in infected dental root canals. Out of twenty-five isolated Actinomyces strains, four were A. israelii, four were A. naeslundii, four were A. odontolyticus, and six were A. viscosus. Seven strains could be identified only as Actinomyces spp. The relative frequency of various species of Actinomyces isolated from root canals was similar to that of carious dentin. The Actinomyces strains were usually part of polymicrobial infections. These infections could usually be eliminated by one or two conventional endodontic treatments. In two cases, however, A. israelii was repeatedly isolated in pure culture from the root canals. These two infections had to be eliminated by means of periapical surgery.

Periapical actinomycosis. An unusual case report

An unusual case of actinomycosis in the oral cavity is reported. The strict anaerobic qualities of Actinomyces israelii make laboratory culturing and growing of this organism difficult. Accordingly, the diagnosis was based on the histopathologic report. Because of the atypical clinical presentation, i.e., lack of any discharging sinus tract on the skin surface, and the histopathologic reports, it was postulated that the actinomycosis was superimposed on an existing granulomatous tissue.