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Pulmonary actinomycosis

Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare bacterial lung infection.

Causes

Pulmonary actinomycosis is caused by certain bacteria normally found in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, where they do not usually cause harm. However, poor dental hygiene and dental abscess can increase your risk for face, jaw, and lung infections caused by these bacteria.

Alcohol abuse, having scars on the lungs (bronchiectasis), and emphysema are all associated with lung infections caused by actinomycosis.

The disease is rare in the U.S. It may occur at any age, but most patients are 30 - 60 years old. Men get this infection more often than women do.

Symptoms

The infection usually comes on slowly. It may be weeks or months before a doctor makes a diagnosis.

Symptoms include:

Exams and Tests

Tests that may be done include:

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to cure the infection. However, many patients take a long time to get better. To be cured, you may need to receive penicillin through a vein (intravenously) for 4 - 6 weeks, followed by several months of penicillin by mouth. Some people need up to 18 months of treatment.

If you cannot take penicillin, other antibiotics are available. These include tetracyclines, macrolides, or erythromycin.

Surgery may be needed to drain fluid from the lungs and control the infection.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most people get better after treatment with antibiotics.

Possible Complications

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if:

  • You have symptoms of pulmonary actinomycosis
  • Your symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment
  • You develop new symptoms

Prevention

Good dental hygiene may help reduce your risk of getting actinomycosis.

Alternative Names

Actinomycosis - pulmonary

References

Brook I. Actinomycosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 337.

Russo TA. Agents of actinomycosis. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 255.

Update Date: 5/30/2012

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.

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