Article Type
Article
Abstract
Actinomycetes are gram-positive, non-spore-forming, filamentous anaerobic bacteria that constitute part of the normal oral and intestinal flora and are widely distributed in the environment. Actinomycosis is a chronic, suppurative granulomatous infection frequently associated with deep-seated and recurrent infections. This five-year retrospective study (June 2018–June 2024) aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Actinomyces species isolated from various clinical specimens. Samples received for Anaerobic culture and sensitivity were processed as per standard protocol and antibiogram was obtained for the respective pathogen isolated. Of the 508 specimens processed, 109 (21.4%) yielded pathogenic anaerobes, among which Actinomyces species accounted for 21 isolates (19.2%). Actinomyces odontolyticus was the most frequently isolated species (61.9%), followed by Actinomyces naeslundii. Piperacillin–tazobactam demonstrated the highest sensitivity (66.7%), followed by imipenem (61.9%). Notably, high resistance to metronidazole was observed in 85.7% of isolates. The findings emphasize the need for heightened clinical suspicion of anaerobic infections in chronic and deep-seated cases, rational antimicrobial selection, avoidance of empirical metronidazole misuse, and implementation of effective anaerobic antimicrobial stewardship programs in hospital settings.
Keywords
Actinomyces, Anaerobic infection
Recommended Citation
Vats, Kanak; Sharma, Bhawna; and Nair, Deepthi
(2026)
"Unmasking Myths and Facts About Actinomyces Species: Analysis from a Tertiary Care Hospital,"
Muthanna Medical Journal: Vol. 13:
Iss.
3, Article 13.
Available at:
https://muthmj.mu.edu.iq/journal/vol13/iss3/13
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
