Pediatric Actinomycosis Follow-up

  • Author: Jorge M Quinonez, MD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD   more...
 
Updated: Nov 28, 2011
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • Observe patients for a prolonged period because the potential for relapse is significant. Emphasize compliance with prolonged courses of antibiotics to prevent recurrences.
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Deterrence/Prevention

  • The practice of good oral and dental hygiene may reduce the possibility of developing actinomycosis.
  • No measure absolutely prevents the disease.
  • Explain to female patients about the possibility of actinomycosis when intrauterine or intravaginal devices are used.
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Prognosis

  • The use of high doses and prolonged courses of antibiotics has dramatically altered the prognosis of this disease.
  • Patients who present late in the disease process tend to have a poor outcome.
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Patient Education

  • Education on good oral hygiene practices is extremely valuable in preventing actinomycosis.
  • Educate female patients using intrauterine contraceptive devices on the possibility of developing actinomycosis.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jorge M Quinonez, MD  Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida, Inc

Jorge M Quinonez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Glaxo Smith Kline Consulting fee Speaking and teaching

Specialty Editor Board

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc  Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, Armed Forces Infectious Diseases Society, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, Infectious Diseases Society of America, International Immunocompromised Host Society, International Society for Infectious Diseases, Medical Society of the District of Columbia, New York Academy of Sciences, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Ear, Nose and Throat Advances in Children, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Medical Association, and Surgical Infection Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mark R Schleiss, MD  American Legion Chair of Pediatrics, Professor of Pediatrics, Division Director, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School

Mark R Schleiss, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Pediatric Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD  Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD  Head, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ochsner Children's Health Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  3. Perlow JH, Wigton T, Yordan EL, et al. Disseminated pelvic actinomycosis presenting as metastatic carcinoma: association with the progestasert intrauterine device. Rev Infect Dis. Nov-Dec 1991;13(6):1115-9. [Medline].

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  18. Weese WC, Smith IM. A study of 57 cases of actinomycosis over a 36-year period. A diagnostic 'failure' with good prognosis after treatment. Arch Intern Med. Dec 1975;135(12):1562-8. [Medline].

 
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