Skip to main content
Thorax logoLink to Thorax
. 1973 Jan;28(1):73–85. doi: 10.1136/thx.28.1.73

Thoracic actinomycosis

P R Slade 1, B V Slesser 1, J Southgate 1
PMCID: PMC469994  PMID: 4568119

Abstract

Six cases of pulmonary infection with Actinomyces Israeli and one case of infection with Nocardia asteroides are described. The incidence of thoracic actinomycosis has declined recently and the classical presentation with chronic discharging sinuses is now uncommon. The cases described illustrate some of the forms which the disease may take. Actinomycotic infection has been noted, not infrequently, to co-exist with bronchial carcinoma and a case illustrating this association is described. Sputum cytology as practised for the diagnosis of bronchial carcinoma has helped to identify the fungi in the sputum. Treatment is discussed, particularly the possible use of oral antibiotics rather than penicillin by injection.

Full text

PDF
84

Images in this article

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. BATES M., CRUICKSHANK G. Thoracic actinomycosis. Thorax. 1957 Jun;12(2):99–124. doi: 10.1136/thx.12.2.99. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Baikie A. G., Macdonald C. B., Mundy G. R. Systemic nocardiosis treated with trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole. Lancet. 1970 Aug 1;2(7666):261–261. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(70)92606-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Black W. A., McNellis D. A. Systemic nocardiosis treated with trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole. Lancet. 1970 Aug 29;2(7670):473–473. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(70)90096-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Coodley E. L. Actinomycosis: clinical diagnosis and management. Postgrad Med. 1969 Aug;46(2):73–78. doi: 10.1080/00325481.1969.11696438. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. GARROD L. P. Actinomycosis of the lung; aetiology, diagnosis and chemotherapy. Tubercle. 1952 Sep;33(9):258–266. doi: 10.1016/s0041-3879(52)80124-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Halseth W. L., Reich M. P. Pulmonary actinomycosis treated by lung resection. Dis Chest. 1969 Feb;55(2):119–122. doi: 10.1378/chest.55.2.119. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. KUGEL E., HARLACHER A., HUECK O. Bemerkungen zur Differentialdiagnose und Therapie der Lungenaktinomykose. Thoraxchirurgie. 1953 Aug;1(3):206–214. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1096156. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Lee B. Y. Actinomycosis of the lung coexisting with pulmonary tuberculosis. Report of a case. Dis Chest. 1966 Aug;50(2):211–213. doi: 10.1378/chest.50.2.211. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. MCVAY L. V., Jr, SPRUNT D. H. Treatment of actinomycosis with isoniazid. J Am Med Assoc. 1953 Sep 12;153(2):95–98. doi: 10.1001/jama.1953.02940190021005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. MURRAY J. F., FINEGOLD S. M., FROMAN S., WILL D. W. The changing spectrum of nocardiosis. A review and presentation of nine cases. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1961 Mar;83:315–330. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1961.83.3.315. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Marcovitch H., Norman A. P. Treatment of nocardiosis. Lancet. 1970 Aug 15;2(7668):362–363. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. McQuarrie D. G., Hall W. H. Actinomycosis of the lung and chest wall. Surgery. 1968 Nov;64(5):905–911. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Mohr J. A., Rhoades E. R., Muchmore H. G. Actinomycosis treated with lincomycin. JAMA. 1970 Jun 29;212(13):2260–2262. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Moore W. R., Scannell J. G. Pulmonary actinomycosis simulating cancer of the lung. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1968 Feb;55(2):193–195. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Oswald N. C., Hinson K. F., Canti G., Miller A. B. The diagnosis of primary lung cancer with special reference to sputum cytology. Thorax. 1971 Nov;26(6):623–627. doi: 10.1136/thx.26.6.623. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. PRITZKER H. G., MACKAY J. S. Pulmonary actnomycosis simulating bronchogenic carcinoma. Can Med Assoc J. 1963 Apr 13;88:785–791. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Prather J. R., Eastridge C. E., Hughes F. A., Jr, McCaughan J. J., Jr Actinomycosis of the thorax. Diagnosis and treatment. Ann Thorac Surg. 1970 Apr;9(4):307–312. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(10)65510-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Slack J. The Source of Infection in Actinomycosis. J Bacteriol. 1942 Feb;43(2):193–209. doi: 10.1128/jb.43.2.193-209.1942. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. VILLEGAS A. H., SALA C. A. PULMONARY ACTINOMYCOSIS OF PSEUDOTUMORAL FORM; REPORT OF A CASE OF INVASION OF THE THORACIC WALL WITH TREATMENT BY ENLARGED LOBECTOMY. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1965 Apr;49:677–683. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Thorax are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES