Definition

Actinomycosis is an infection primarily caused by
the bacterium Actinomyces israelii. Infection most often
occurs in the face and neck region and is characterized
by the presence of a slowly enlarging, hard, red lump.

Description

Actinomycosis is a relatively rare infection occurring
in one out of 300,000(1/300,000) people per year. It is
characterized by the presence of a lump or mass that often
forms, draining sinus tracts to the skin surface. Fifty percent
of actinomycosis cases are of the head and neck region
(also called