Actinomyces species may cause osteomyelitis.
Cause
Examples
contiguous spread from a focus of actinomycosis
mandible, maxilla, frontal bone, temporal bone, ribs, pelvis
trauma with direct inoculation
bones of hand or feet, long bones, postoperative
hematogenous spread
sternum, joint prosthetic joint, vertebra
Clinical features:
(1) chronic, indolent course
(2) draining sinues
Factors assisting in making the diagnosis:
(1) diagnosis of an adjacent focus
(2) presence of sulfur granules
(3) Gram stain appearance with filamentous, branching Gram-positive organisms
(4) positive anaerobic culture
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases
ICD-10: ,
