Once in the tissue, actinomyces multiply and forms an abscess, producing a hard, red to reddish-purple lump, often on the jaw.
Eventually, the abscess ruptures through the skin surface to produce a draining sinus tract and are completely treatable.
If left untreated, patients with actinomycosis may progress to develop focal organ involvement with mass-like features and multiple abscesses which can heal and reform.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
The prognosis is excellent with prompt and effective antimicrobial treatment in patients with uncomplicated actinomycosis that does not affect the CNS.
The factors that define the outcomes of the disease include:
↑Sharkawy AA (2007). "Cervicofacial actinomycosis and mandibular osteomyelitis". Infect. Dis. Clin. North Am. 21 (2): 543–56, viii. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2007.03.007. PMID17561082.
↑Higashi Y, Nakamura S, Ashizawa N, Oshima K, Tanaka A, Miyazaki T, Izumikawa K, Yanagihara K, Yamamoto Y, Miyazaki Y, Mukae H, Kohno S (2017). "Pulmonary Actinomycosis Mimicking Pulmonary Aspergilloma and a Brief Review of the Literature". Intern. Med. 56 (4): 449–453. doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.56.7620. PMID28202870.
↑Schaal KP, Lee HJ (1992). "Actinomycete infections in humans--a review". Gene. 115 (1–2): 201–11. PMID1612438.