Description of the Genus - Actinomyces.
Actinomyces meyeri is an uncommon cause of human actinomycosis. Here, we report a rare case of empyema caused by A. meyeri. A 49-year-old male presented with a history of 10 days of dyspnea and chest pain. A large amount of loculated pleural effusion was present on the right side and multiple lung nodules were documented on radiological studies.Actinomyces is a genus of the Actinobacteria class of bacteria.They are all gram-positive. Actinomyces species are facultatively anaerobic (except A. meyeri and A. israelii both obligate anaerobe), and they grow best under anaerobic conditions. Actinomyces species may form endospores, and, while individual bacteria are rod-shaped, Actinomyces colonies form fungus-like branched networks of hyphae.Apart from A. denticolens and A. howellii, whose pathogenic potentials have not been investigated so far, all of the other typical Actinomyces species may cause various forms of disease in man as well as in feral, domestic, and laboratory animals. Nevertheless, members of different species vary considerably with regard to virulence, types of pathological lesions induced and host specificity.
Actinomyces israelii is a species of Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria within the Actinomyces. Known to live commensally on and within humans, A. israelii is an opportunistic pathogen and a cause of actinomycosis. Many physiologically diverse strains of the species are known to exist, though not all are strict anaerobes.Conclusion: This is the first case of pulmonary actinomycosis attributable to A. meyeri presenting as cardiac tamponade. We believe that an increased awareness of the disease is necessary to expedite diagnosis therefore minimizing morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Actinomyces meyeri, Cardiac tamponade, Lung abscess, Actinomycosis Background.
Actinomyces meyeri information including symptoms, causes, diseases, symptoms, treatments, and other medical and health issues.
