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. 2015 Oct;53(10):3247-55.
doi: 10.1128/JCM.01030-15. Epub 2015 Jul 29.

Actinomyces Species Isolated from Breast Infections

A U Bing  1 , S F Loh  2 , T Morris  3 , H Hughes  3 , J M Dixon  2 , K O Helgason  4
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Actinomyces Species Isolated from Breast Infections

A U Bing et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a chronic infection caused by Actinomyces species characterized by abscess formation, tissue fibrosis, and draining sinuses. The spectrum of infections caused by Actinomyces species ranges from classical invasive actinomycosis to a less invasive form of superficial skin and soft tissue infection. We present a review detailing all Actinomyces species isolated from breast infections in NHS Lothian between 2005 and 2013, Actinomyces species isolated from breast infections referred to the United Kingdom Anaerobe Reference Unit between 1988 and 2014, and cases describing Actinomyces breast infections published in the medical literature since 1994. Actinomyces species are fastidious organisms which can be difficult to identify and are likely to be underascertained as a cause of breast infections. Due to improved diagnostic methods, they are increasingly associated with chronic, recurrent breast infections and may play a more significant role in these infections than has previously been appreciated.

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Figures

FIG 1
FIG 1
Actinomyces species isolated from breast infections referred to the United Kingdom Anaerobic Reference Unit from United Kingdom hospitals, 1988-2014.
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