Actinomycosis

Actinomycosis, a fungus infevtion involving the deep tissues of the skin and mucous membranes, usually of the face, neck, chest and abdomen. It usually affects cattle and hogs but may be transmitted to humans. People working on farms acquire the disease by handling or chewing straw used by infected cattle or by inhaling dust where infected animals are kept. The fungus inhabits the mucous membranes of the mouth, the areas around decayed teeth, and diseased tonsils. The disease begins as a swelling of the jaw, which characteristically has a lumpy feeling. Actinomycosis is sometimes called lumpy jaw. The skin turns dark red and abscesses develop. In humans, about half the cases of actinomycosis affect only the face and neck areas. Sometimes, it travels to the chest region and involves the lungs and air passages. It may also afflect the abdomen, causing a large internal abscess or one that drains pus outside the body. The most unusual forms of the disease affect the brain, heart valves, or the anus. Cattle and hogs infected with this disease must be destroyed.

In humans, actinomycosis was once almost alyaws fatal, but now can be treated successfully with penicillin or other antibiotics. Treatment also includes x-ray therapy and draining of the abscesses.