Actinomyces Species Isolated from Breast Infections

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a chronic infection caused byActinomycesspecies characterized by abscess formation, tissue fibrosis, and draining sinuses. The spectrum of infections caused byActinomycesspecies ranges from classical invasive actinomycosis to a less invasive form of superficial skin and soft tissue infection. We present a review detailing allActinomycesspecies isolated from breast infections in NHS Lothian between 2005 and 2013,Actinomycesspecies isolated from breast infections referred to the United Kingdom Anaerobe Reference Unit between 1988 and 2014, and cases describingActinomycesbreast infections published in the medical literature since 1994.Actinomycesspecies 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.