Actinomycosis

Alternative names:

lumpy jaw

Symptoms:

• a swelling or hard red to reddish-purple lump appearing on the face or upper neck (see neck lumps)
• fever
• weight loss
• pain is minimal to absent
• draining sores in the skin, particularly those on the chest wall resulting from lung infection with Actinomyces

Signs and tests:

• Examination of drained fluid under a microscope demonstrates "sulfur granules" in the fluid.
• Examination under a microscope shows the presence of Actinomyces species of bacteria.
• A culture of the tissue or fluid shows Actinomyces species.

Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial