M172-4

Dental Abscess: Actinomyces israelii  – Shipped August 14, 2017

HISTORY

A simulated dental abscess sample collected from 44 year old male smoker was sent to category A laboratories.
Participants were expected to isolate, identify, and report Actinomyces israelii.

MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from M172-4

1. Anaerobic cultures should be done on deep tissue abscesses, particularly those located adjacent to an oral-mucosal surface.
2. Extended incubation of anaerobic plates may be required in order to recover slow-growing organisms including Actinomyces species, especially if branching gram positive bacilli are seen in Gram-stained smears, or if clinically suspected.

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