Actinomycosis in children with emphasis on oral aspects

Abstract

We report the case of a child with thoracic actinomycosis and review this disease. Actinomycosis is a rare infection that can affect any part of the body; Actinomyces are gram positive bacilli or filaments belonging to the endogenous flora of the mUCOUS membranes, specially that of the oral cavity and the intestinal tract. Actinomycosis usually behaves as an insidioUS disease but may ocassionally have acute expressions with fistulization to the skin and fibroUS healing during resolution. The So called sulfur granules are an important macroscopic detail that helps establish the diagnosis. Actinomyces infections usually start in the oral cavity for the cervicofacial form and then spread to contiguous tissues or to the lungs via aspiration. Penicillin is the drug of choice and surgical drainage may become necessary.