Properties

Pathogenesis

Clinical findings

Laboratory diagnosis

Treatment & Prevention

Gram-positive

Anaerobe

Form long branching filaments

Forms part of normal flora of oral cavity.

Hard, yellow granules composed of a mass of filaments are formed in pus.

Appears as a hard, nontender swelling that develops slowly & eventually drains pus through sinus tracts.

Sites affected are:

- cervicofacial: predisposing factors - tooth extraction, dental caries.

- thoracic: lung infection eventually invades chest wall.

- abadominal: may originate from a diseased appendix, or colon.

- pelvic: associated wit use of intra-uterine contraceptive devices.

Gram stain of a crushed sulphur granule shows Gram-positive branching filaments.

Penicillin or amoxycillin