Summary
Actinomycosis is a chronic, suppurative, mycotic infection, which tends to form abscesses and fistulas. The organism is a saprophyte of the human mouth. When a break in the normal contiguity of the gastrointestinal tract occurs, the organism may gain access to the surrounding tissues and become almost impossible to eradicate without surgical extirpation and administration of a long course of antibiotics. The diagnosis of actinomycosis should be considered for any patient in whom persistent or unusual enterocutaneous fistulas develop, when there is a recent history of perforated viscus or surgical intervention involving the gastrointestinal tract, such as appendectomy. The diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of “sulfur granules” in the fistulous tracts.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Eastridge CE, Prather JR, Hughes FA Jr, et al: Actinomycosis: A 24 year experience. South Med J 65: 839, 1972
Fisher AM, Harvey JC: Actinomycosis: Some concepts of therapy and prognosis. Postgrad Med 19: 32, 1956
Peabody W Jr, Seabury JH: Actinomycosis and nocardiosis: A review of basic differences in therapy. Am J Med 28: 99, 1960
Pheils MT, Reid DJ, Ross CF: Abdominal actinomycosis. Br J Surg 51: 345, 1964
Salmo NA, Rudolf V, Makki NT: Actinomycosis of the colon: Report of a case. Dis Colon Rectum 12: 30, 1969
Sechas M, Christeas N, Balaroutsos C, et al: Actinomycosis of the colon: Report of two cases. Dis Colon Rectum 15: 366, 1972
Wilson E: Abdominal actinomycosis, with special reference to the stomach. Br J Surg 49: 266, 1961
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Gingold, B.S., Fazio, V.W. Abdominal actinomycosis: A complication of colonic perforation. Dis Colon Rectum 21, 374–376 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02586672
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02586672