Cervicofacial Actinomycosis — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.
Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: D — Actinomyces israelii
Actinomyces israelii is the species classically and most commonly associated with cervicofacial actinomycosis. Actinomyces are Gram-positive, branching filamentous, predominantly anaerobic bacteria that normally colonise the mouth. Infection may follow disruption of the mucosal barrier, including dental infection, trauma or extraction, and can produce indurated swellings, draining sinuses and sulphur granules. Other Actinomyces species can also cause the disease, so it is inaccurate to imply that A. israelii is the sole possible organism. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is principally associated with periodontitis; Staphylococcus aureus causes pyogenic infections; Mycobacterium tuberculosis is acid-fast and causes tuberculosis; and Nocardia asteroides is aerobic and weakly acid-fast.
Reference: Vandeplas C, et al. Cervicofacial actinomycosis following third molar removal: case-series and review. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2021;25:119–125. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32820354/