Abdominal actinomycosis does not always present as a pure single-organism infection. When cultures from tissue or clinical samples reveal co-existing beta-lactamase-producing organisms alongside Actinomyces, the antimicrobial strategy must account for both pathogens — and the coverage they require.
Actinomyces can grow with other organisms in tissue and sample cultures in almost 75 to 95% of cases. These co-existing organisms are typically anaerobic bacteria from the oral flora. By producing beta-lactamases, they are able to protect Actinomyces from penicillin — effectively rendering standard first-choice coverage insufficient in this setting.
When beta-lactamase-producing co-pathogens are identified in culture, the recommended strategy involves a specific class of combination antimicrobial therapy designed to overcome that resistance mechanism. Treatment must be sustained through a prolonged course until infection fully resolves. The complete regimen is detailed in the full protocol.
Complete resolution of actinomycosis infection — typically assessed over a period of 6 to 12 months of sustained antimicrobial therapy.
DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.104698
As mentioned before, Actinomyces can grow with other organisms in tissue and sample cultures in almost 75 to 95% of cases.
The other organisms are usually anaerobic from the oral flora, and they can produce beta-lactamases that can protect actinomyces from penicillin.
In those cases a combination of a beta-lactam plus beta-lactamase inhibitor is recommended as treatment.
Antimicrobial treatment should be continued until resolution of infection, usually between 6 and 12 months.
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