Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of actinomycosis are to eradicate the infection, reduce morbidity, and prevent complications.

Penicillin G (Pfizerpen)

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Penicillin G interferes with the synthesis of cell wall mucopeptide during active multiplication, resulting in bactericidal activity against susceptible microorganisms. Prolonged therapy, including longer than 1 year, may be necessary.

Penicillin VK (Beepen-VK, Betapen-VK, Pen-Vee K, Robicillin VK, Veetids)

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Penicillin VK interferes with the synthesis of cell wall mucopeptide during active multiplication, resulting in bactericidal activity against susceptible microorganisms. It has better GI absorption than penicillin G.

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Media Gallery

Photomicrograph of gram-positive organisms in actinomycosis, which may be confused with those causing a mycotic infection (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X40).
Photomicrograph of a characteristic sulfur granule of actinomycosis (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X10).
Oral fistula due to actinomycosis.
Periapical radiograph shows infection in the premolar tooth.

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Author

Juanita Duran, MD Fellow in Surgical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital

Juanita Duran, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Dermatopathology, College of American Pathologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Jose A Plaza, MD Director of Dermatopathology, Professor of Pathology and Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Jose A Plaza, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Society for Clinical Pathology, American Society of Dermatopathology, International Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD Dermatologic/Mohs Surgeon, The Surgery Center at Plano Dermatology

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Drore Eisen, MD, DDS Consulting Staff, Dermatology of Southwest Ohio

Drore Eisen, MD, DDS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Oral Medicine, American Dental Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Janet Fairley, MD Professor and Head, Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine

Janet Fairley, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Federation for Medical Research, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Talib Najjar, DMD, MDS, PhD Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pathology, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine

Talib Najjar, DMD, MDS, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Clinical Pathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank William D Lainhart, PhD, D(ABMM), Medical Director, Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, Department of Pathology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, for his advice and guidance in the updating of this article.