Actinomycotic Brain Abscess Research Articles

Actinomycotic brain abscess

Actinomycosis is caused by Gram-positive filamentous anaerobic organisms of genus Actinomyces, which are commensals of mucosal membranes of the oropharyngeal cavity, and gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Central nervous system involvement is rare and may present as cerebral abscess, meningitis, meningoencephalitis, subdural empyema or epidural abscess. The radiological appearances of actinomycotic brain abscesses are not well recognized. Here, we present the characteristic imaging features of an actinomycotic brain abscess.

Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation With Actinomycotic Brain Abscess: A Rare Association

Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation With Actinomycotic Brain Abscess: A Rare Association

Actinomycotic Brain Abscess Developed 10 Years after Head Trauma

Actinomyces species are members of the endogenous flora of mucous membranes, and are frequently cultured from the gastrointestinal tract, bronchi, and female genital tract. Infections due to Actinomyces are usually associated with the breakdown of normal physical barriers, such as disruption of mucosal membranes in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. The major sites of actinomycoses are cervicofacial, abdominopelvic, and thoracic sites, where it usually presents with the development of an abscess, a draining sinus tract, fistulae, and tissue fibrosis.1 Less common sites of actinomycotic infection include the central nervous system (CNS) and musculoskeletal soft tissue. In Korea, only two cases of CNS actinomycoses have been reported.2,3 Herein, we report a rare case of CNS actinomycosis that caused a cerebral abscess.

Actinomycotic brain abscess as the first clinical manifestation of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia—case report and review of the literature

Actinomycotic brain abscess as the first clinical manifestation of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia—case report and review of the literature

Actinomycotic Brain Abscess and Subdural Empyema of Odontogenic Origin: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Actinomyces are gram-positive, nonacid-fast, branching filamentous prokaryotic microorganisms with anaerobic or microaerophilic requirements.1-5 Actinomyces species are part of the normal flora of the oropharyngeal cavity, specifically concentrated in the tonsillar crypts, the surface of carious teeth, and the gingival pocket.4,6 Actinomycosis is rarely a pathologic concern because of the organism's low virulence and does not appear to be an opportunistic disease because there is no specific predisposition toward immunocompromised individuals.

Utility of in vitro proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in aetiological characterisation of brain abscesses

Purpose: Brain abscesses often present an aetiological dilemma. Microscopy is insensitive and culture techniques are time consuming. Hence, a new rapid technique in vitro Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1HMRS) was evaluated for its usefulness in the identification of aetiology of brain abscesses. Materials and Methods: A total of 39 pus specimens from brain abscesses were subjected to in vitro1HMRS. These pus specimens were also processed by conventional culture methods. The spectral patterns generated by in vitro1HMRS were further correlated with culture results. Results: Pus specimens which showed the presence of anaerobes on culture revealed the presence of multiplet at 0.9 ppm (100%), lactate-lipid at 1.3 ppm (100%), acetate at 1.92 ppm (100%) and succinate at 2.4 ppm (75%). Pus specimens that revealed the presence of facultative anaerobes on culture showed a pattern B, i.e., the presence of lactate-lipid at 1.3 ppm (100%), acetate at 1.92 ppm (88.88%) along with the multiplet at 0.9 ppm (100%). Pattern C was seen in aerobic infection which showed the presence of lactate-lipid at 1.3 ppm (100%) along with the multiplet at 0.9 ppm. Pus from two tuberculous abscesses showed the complete absence of multiplet at 0.9 ppm. Conclusions: We observed in this study that it was possible to differentiate bacterial and tuberculous brain abscesses using in vitro1HMRS. Further, it was also possible to distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic brain abscesses on the basis of spectral patterns. In vitro1HMRS of fungal and actinomycotic brain abscess are also presented for its unusual spectra.

Actinomycotic Brain Abscess with Osteomyelitis Arising from Frontal Sinusitis

Actinomycotic Brain Abscess with Osteomyelitis Arising from Frontal Sinusitis

WITHDRAWN: Outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy in a case of an actinomycotic brain abscess

WITHDRAWN: Outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy in a case of an actinomycotic brain abscess

Actinomycotic brain abscess successfully treated by burr hole aspiration and short course antimicrobial therapy

Three cases of brain abscess caused by Actinomyces israelii are reported which were successfully treated by burr hole aspiration and a short course of antibiotics (3-4 weeks). The clinical response of the patients, as well as the serial serum C-reactive protein levels and CT findings were used as a guideline for stopping antimicrobial therapy relatively early.

Resolution of an Actinomycotic Abscess with Nonsurgical Treatment

A case of actinomycotic brain abscess is presented. Conservative treatment by prolonged administration of antibiotics after needle biopsy showed complete resolution of the abscess. Previously reported cases suggest that definitive treatment requires excision or open surgical drainage of the abscess. The case presented suggests an alternative approach to treating this unusual cause of brain abscess.

Actinomycotic brain abscess

A histologically confirmed actinomycotic brain abscess, in a previously healthy female, is reported. CT scan findings of a thick walled multiloculated ring enhancement with smooth inner margin and irregular nodular enhancement of outer margin, along with contiguous patchy enhancing lesion with circular low attenuation areas were suggestive of a chronic granulomatous abscess. Surgical excision and prolonged antibiotic therapy produced a good resolution.

Secondary actinomycotic brain abscess: isolation of a new species and review.

ALTHOUGH there have been numerous reports of cerebral actinomycotic infection since Ponfick's original description in 1882, the sporadic occurrence of this potentially remediable infection justifies a disinclination to holdActinomyces israeliisuspect as an etiologic agent in meningitis and brain abscess. Characteristics which are unique, but not specific for this anaerobic mycelial organism favor further this disregard; per contra, when taken together, one may be alerted to its presence. Actinomyces israelii, a saprophyte and parasite in man, may be distinguished fromA bovis, the responsible agent of lumpy jaw in cattle.1Its ubiquitous presence within the oropharynx of man is usually accompanied by no clinical manifestations.2-4Whereas the most prevalent site of primary infection was reported as cervicofacial in 1938 by Cope,5a more recent series from the Johns Hopkins Hospital shows 63% of cases were abdominal, 24% cervicofacial and 13% lung.6There is usually a

Actinomycotic (nocardia asteroides) brain abscess with recovery.

The widespread use of antibiotics has materially reduced the incidence of brain abscess within the past decade. This has been particularly true of those abscesses occurring as a consequence of otitic and sinus infections of bacterial origin. In a group of 10 brain abscesses observed during the past few years, ~ were caused by fungi. Though one of the two latter patients died, an apparent cure has been effected in the other with the use of antibiotics and surgical excision. This is believed to be the fourth reported recovery of a patient with actinomycotic brain abscess. Ponfick, 5 in 1880, first described actinomycosis of the brain. Ten years later Eppinger 2 made the first report of a brain abscess caused by Nocardia asteroides. Friedman and Levy 3 were able to collect 108 reported cases of actinomycosis involving the central nervous system by 1937 but found the results universally fatal. Eleven years later Jacobson and Cloward 4 described the recovery of a patient with actinomycotic meningitis through the use of penicillin and sulphadiazine. The first cure of actinomycotic brain abscess, however, was reported in 1949 by Schneider and Rand; e the lesion was apparently thoracogenic and was excised during intensive antibiotic and sulpha therapy. Tinsley and Froman s recorded the second recovery; in their case the brain abscess was also secondary to pleuropulmonary actinomycosis. In a comprehensive review of the problem published in 1953, Stevens 7 described the third instance of successful management of these abscesses by excision. A few years ago a middle-aged farmer's wife was seen in consultation because of profound coma and left hemiparesis. 1 One and one-half years previously headaches of increasing frequency and severity began soon after tooth extraction. Jacksonian seizures were noted 1 month prior to hospitalization. Despite no evidence of systemic infection, brain abscess was suspected. Ventriculography confirmed the neurologic impression of right frontal localization and approximately 1 ounce of pus was obtained when the abscess was tapped. The patient, however, failed to respond and at autopsy it was apparent that pus had been obtained only from the original thickwalled abscess, the adjacent daughter abscess containing three times that amount of purulent material. Nocardia asteroides was isolated from the pus. I t was felt the portal of entry was the tooth socket and that rupture of the chronic, thick-walled abscess coincided clinically and pathologically with acute onset of symptoms 1 month prior to admission.

CI. Actinomycosis of the Sphenoid with Actinomycotic Meningitis and Brain Abscess

CI. Actinomycosis of the Sphenoid with Actinomycotic Meningitis and Brain Abscess