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Pulmonary actinomycosis
Actinomycosis - pulmonary; Actinomycosis - thoracic
Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare lung infection caused by bacteria.
Causes
Pulmonary actinomycosis is caused by certain bacteria normally found in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. The bacteria often do not cause harm. But poor dental hygiene and tooth abscess can increase your risk for lung infections caused by these bacteria.
Dental hygiene
Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to build up on teeth within 20 minutes af...
Tooth abscess
A tooth abscess is a buildup of infected material (pus) in the center of a tooth. It is an infection caused by bacteria.
People with the following health problems also have a higher chance of developing the infection:
-
Alcohol use
Alcohol use
Alcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...
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Scars on the lungs (
bronchiectasis
)
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a disease in which the large airways in the lungs are damaged. This causes the airways to become wider. Bronchiectasis can be pres...
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COPD
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:Chroni...
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The disease is rare in the United States. It may occur at any age, but is most common in people 30 to 60 years old. Men get this infection more often than women.
Symptoms
The infection often comes on slowly. It may be weeks or months before diagnosis is confirmed.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
-
Chest pain
when taking a deep breath
Chest pain
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
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Cough
with phlegm (sputum)
Cough
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...
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Fever
Fever
Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...
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Lethargy
Lethargy
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Night sweats
-
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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Weight loss
Weight loss
Unexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...
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Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam, and ask about your medical history and symptoms. Tests that may be done include:
-
Bronchoscopy
with culture
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.
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Complete blood count
(CBC)
Complete blood count
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The tota...
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Chest x-ray
Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
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Chest CT scan
Chest CT scan
A chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....
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Lung biopsy
Lung biopsy
An open lung biopsy is surgery to remove a small piece of tissue from the lung. The sample is then examined for cancer, infection, or lung disease....
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Modified
AFB smear of sputum
AFB smear of sputum
Sputum stain for mycobacteria is a test to check for a type of bacteria that cause tuberculosis and other infections.
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Sputum culture
Sputum culture
Routine sputum culture is a laboratory test that looks for germs that cause infection. Sputum is the material that comes up from air passages when y...
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Tissue and
sputum Gram stain
Sputum Gram stain
A sputum Gram stain is a laboratory test used to detect bacteria in a sputum sample. Sputum is the material that comes up from your air passages whe...
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Thoracentesis
with culture
Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs (pleura) and the wall of the chest....
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Treatment
The goal of treatment is to cure the infection. It may take a long time to get better. To be cured, you may need to receive the antibiotic penicillin through a vein (intravenously) for 4 to 6 weeks. Then you need to take penicillin by mouth for a long period. Some people need up to 18 months of antibiotic treatment.
If you cannot take penicillin, your provider will prescribe other antibiotics.
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
Complications may include:
-
Brain abscess
Brain abscess
A brain abscess is a collection of pus, immune cells, and other material in the brain, usually from a bacterial or fungal infection.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Destruction of parts of the lungs
-
Emphysema
Emphysema
Empyema is a collection of pus in the space between the lung and the inner surface of the chest wall (pleural space).
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Meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.
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Osteomyelitis
(bone infection)
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is mainly caused by bacteria or other germs.
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if:
- You have symptoms of pulmonary actinomycosis
- Your symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment
- You develop new symptoms
- You have a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher.
Prevention
Good dental hygiene may help reduce your risk for actinomycosis.
Dental hygiene
Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to build up on teeth within 20 minutes af...
References
Brook I. Actinomycosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 329.
Russo TA. Agents of actinomycosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 256.
Torres A, Menendez R, Wunderink RG. Bacterial pneumonia and lung abscess. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 33.
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Respiratory system - illustration
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Respiratory system
illustration
Review Date: 3/13/2016
Reviewed By: 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, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
