What is "actinomycosis"

Actinomycosis \Ac`ti*no*my*co"sis\ ([a^]k`t[i^]*n[-o]*m[imac]*k[=o]"s[i^]s), n. [NL.] (Med.) A chronic infectious disease of cattle and man due to infection with actinomycetes, especially by Actinomyces bovis in cattle and by Actinomyces israeli or Arachnia propionica in man. It is characterized by hard swellings usually in the mouth and jaw. In man the disease may also affect the abdomen or thorax. Called also lumpy jaw or big jaw.

n. (context pathology English) An infectious bacterial disease of cattle and swine, sometimes transmission to man, characterized by the formation of painful abscess in the mouth, lungs, or gastrointestinal tract.

n. disease of cattle that can be transmitted to humans; results from infection with actinomycetes; characterized by hard swellings that exude pus through long sinuses

Actinomycosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces species such as '' Actinomyces israelii '' or A. gerencseriae. It can also be caused by Propionibacterium propionicus, and the condition is likely to be polymicrobial aerobic anaerobic infection.