<prompt> True about actinomyces is :Gram veMost common site is brainTetracycline is drug of choicePortal of entry is inhalation  <response>: Ans. is a ie. Gram ve Actinomyces is an organism of the group ActinomycetesActinomycetes are bacteria but they form long branching filaments that resemble the hyphae of fungi.There are two medically important organismsActinomyces israelii NocardiaActinomycetes are Gram positive, non motile, nonsporting noncapsulatedfilamentsMost of them are Saprophytes that live in soils, but members of this group of bacteria are responsible for 3 human infectionActinomycosisNocardiosisActinomycetomaActinomycosisIt is a chronic suppurative granulomatous infection that produce pyogenic lesions with interconnecting sinus tracts that contains Granules.Granules are composed of micro colonies of bacteria embedded in tissue elements.Most cases are due to Actinomyces IsraeliSite of involvementCervicofacial ActinomycosisThoracic ActinomycosisAbdominal ActinomycosisMode of entryInfection is initiated by trauma that introduces these bacteria.NocardiosisCausative Agent -Most commonly by Nocardia Asteroides or less frequently with Nocardia Brasiliensis.Route of Entry -Inhalation of the Bacteria Thus inhalation is the route of entry for Nocardia not for actinomyces.Usual presentation -Subacute to chronic pulmonary infection. It begins as chronic lobar pneumonia.Nocardia are partially Acid FastActinomycetomaMycetoma -It is a localized slowly progressive chronic infection that begins in subcutaneous tissue and spreads to adjacent tissue.Most common site is foot.Entry is by trauma.Mycetoma is of 2 typesActinomycetoma: Caused by filamentous bacteria such as Nocardia Nocardiopsis, Streptomyces ActinomaduraEumycetoma: caused by saprophytic fungusTreatment DOC for Actinomyces is - Penicillin DOC for Nocardia is - Sufonamides, Alternative is minocycline 