Actinomycetes

Page 3
 Actinomycetes
(order)
Three genera

 Actinomyces species
 Nocardia species
 Streptomyces species
 Gram Positive Filamentous Bacteria
GENUS OXYGEN GRANULE ACIDFAST
Mycobacteria aerobe no yes
Actinomyces ANAEROBE YES no
Nocardia aerobe sometime PARTIALLY

Streptomyces aerobe YES no

 Actinomycosis

A chronic suppurative and

granulomatous disease of the
cervico-facial, thoracic or abdominal
areas
 Actinomycosis

Actinomyces israelii
Ecological Niche
Actinomyces

Endogenous
(man and animals)
 CLINICAL SPECIMENS
Actinomyces

 Pus
Sulphur
granules
Drug of Choice

Penicillin

(large doses)
Serological Test

 None available
 Nocardiosis

 Subcutaneous infections, pulmonary

infections, and brain abscesses
Ecological Association

Soil
Endogenous ?
Geographic Distribution

 World wide
 Nocardiosis

 N. asteroides – Pulmonary

 N. brasiliensis - Abscesses
 Clinical Specimens

 Sputum
 Pus
 Biopsy tissue
Serological Test

 None available
 Drug of Choice

Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim
STREPTOMYCOSIS

Streptomyces species
 Mycetoma

Streptomyces species
Ecological Association

Soil
 Streptomyces
may invade bone
Clinical specimens

Pus
Biopsy material
Serological Test

None available
 Treatment

 Surgical debridement
 Sulfa drugs
 Amphotericin B