Introduction

Classification

Taxonomy

• Order: Actinomycetales.
• Family: Actinomycetes.
• Genus: Actinomyces.

Etymology

• Gk: actino- ray; myces- fungus.
• L:viscum- bird-lime;viscosus- sticky.

Active Forms

Clinical Effects

Epidemiology

Habitat

• Oral mucous membranes and tooth surfaces.
• May be found secondarily in the gastrointestinal tract.

Lifecycle

• Bacterial colonies form in tissue in microaerophilic conditions.

Transmission

• Most infections are endogenous.
• May be transmitted by biting.

Pathological effects

• Causes:
  • Discospondylitis as a result of migrating grass awns.
  • Localized cutaneous granulomas and abscesses Actinomycosis.
  • Thoracic granulomata and pyothorax Pyothorax.
• A number of other Actinomyces spp can cause similar diseases.
• Actinomyces horeovulneris is also commonly associated with migrating grass awns.
• Actinomyces bowdenii is associated with mandibular abcesses and foreign body pyogranulomas.
• Actinomycotic lesions in pigs, cats, hamsters and humans.

Control

Control via chemotherapies

Other countermeasures

• Drainage of pus.

Diagnosis

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Kirpensteijn J & Fingland R B (1992) Cutaneous actinomycosis and nocardiosis in dogs: 48 cases (1980-1990). JAVMA 201 (6), 917-920 PubMed.
• Edwards D F, Nyland T G, Weigel J P (1988) Thoracic, abdominal, and vertebral actinomycosis. Diagnosis and long-term therapy in three dogs. JVIM 2 (4), 184-191 PubMed.
• Hardie E M & Barsanti J A (1982) Treatment of canine actinomycosis. JAVMA 180 (5), 537-541 PubMed.