Abstract
Although <i>Actinomyces israelii</i>, the chief etiological agent of human actinomycosis, is a common saprophyte of the oral cavity, periapical actinomycosis is believed to be extremely rare. A recent survey of the literature revealed only 20 cases on record. The purpose of this communication is to document two additional cases and to describe them using light and transmission electron microscopy. Of a total of 45 human spontaneous periapical lesions examined, 2 revealed distinct actinomycotic involvement. Typical "ray fungus" colonies with radiating peripheral filaments could be observed in both specimens. However, in one specimen the colonies were restricted to the apical root canal, but in the other a typical actinomycotic rosette could be observed within the body of the apical granuloma. A few layers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes surrounded the colonies, many of them containing phagocytosed bacteria. Both granulomas contained a mixed infiltrate of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
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