Rare sites of actinomycosis

rare sites of actinomycosis

Central nervous system, bones, muscle tissue, and prosthetic joints may rarely develop Actinomycosis infections.

• central nervous system
  • caused by direct spread from an orocervicofacial infection or from haematogenous spread
  • CNS presentations may include:
    • brain abscess, meningitis or meningoencephalitis, actinomycoma, subdural empyema, and epidural abscess
    • non-meningitic infection causing symptoms of a space occupying lesion e.g. - headache and focal neurological signs related to the anatomical site of disease.
• musculoskeletal infections
  • caused by spread from an adjacent soft tissue (75% of cases), from local trauma (19%) or haematogenous spread (3%)
  • facial bones (especially the mandible) is frequently involved
  • in hip and knee prostheses
    • early presentation - suggests introduction of the organism perioperatively
    • late presentation - usually due to haematogenous spread from an extra-articular site

Reference:

• (1) Wong VK, Turmezei TD, Weston VC. Actinomycosis. BMJ. 2011;343:d6099