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Suppurative cervical adenitis caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.
C Poropatich1, C U Tuazon, W Wilson
1Department of Pathology, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology
|June 1, 1990
Summary
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, a bacterium, was identified in a case of unilateral cervical adenitis. This marks the first documented instance of this specific bacterium causing this condition.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a Gram-negative bacterium known for oral and dental infections.
- Cervical adenitis, particularly suppurative forms, can have various infectious etiologies.
- The role of A. actinomycetemcomitans in non-oral infections is less understood.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old woman presented with unilateral cervical adenitis.
- An aspirate from the affected cervical lymph node was cultured.
- Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was successfully isolated from the culture.
Findings:
- The isolated pathogen was identified as Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.
- This represents the first reported case of A. actinomycetemcomitans causing suppurative cervical adenitis.
- The findings expand the known clinical spectrum of A. actinomycetemcomitans infections.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for A. actinomycetemcomitans to cause infections beyond the typical oral sites.
- Clinicians should consider A. actinomycetemcomitans in the differential diagnosis of suppurative cervical adenitis, especially in the absence of clear oral sources.
- Further research may be warranted to understand the pathogenesis and epidemiology of A. actinomycetemcomitans in cervical adenitis.