Actinomycosis is an infectious disease caused by gram positive, branching, pleomorphic, rod-shaped bacteria of the genus Actinomyces, most commonly the A. viscosus species. Actinomyces is microaerophilic or anaerobic. Actinomyces is rarely found as the only bacteria causing infection in a in a lesion and is commonly seen in synergy with other organisms.
Common symptoms would include pain and fever, skin swelling or abscesses, inflammation of the peritoneum(retroperitonitis),
Inflammation of the bone or vertebrae (osteomyelitis), especially long bones; this is secondary to the skin infection.
Motor and sensory deficits like trouble walking, touching, etc. may be seen when associated with spinal cord compression,
