Actinomycosis that affects the mammary glands is not directly related to fungal diseases, since actinomycete radiant fungi are simply morphologically similar to the causative agents of mycoses, but are actually considered bacterial cells. Accordingly, the course of the disease in the absence of timely treatment will be severe, with a progressive purulent process, often leading to the need for surgical intervention up to resection of the mammary gland. Timely identification of the causative agent of actinomycosis and careful long-term antibiotic therapy will help maintain breast health and the patient's ability to work.
Why breast actinomycosis develops and how it manifests itself
Actinomycosis of the mammary glands develops, as a rule, against the background of a systemic lesion of the body. The pathogen can enter the breast tissue through nipple cracks or skin lesions, or it can be introduced as a secondary infection from another focus - for example, from carious teeth, inflamed pharyngeal tonsils, or affected lungs.
Mammary glands with actinomycosis are not necessarily affected both at the same time, although this happens. Having penetrated into the breast tissue, the pathogen forms a granuloma nodule at the site of its introduction, which is externally manifested by hyperemia and swelling of the breast skin. Further, new nodules are formed around it, prone to merging and a focus of purulent lesions. The process either spreads upward through the cellular tissue, and an opening occurs with the formation of fistulas, or causes destructive changes with the growth of the connective tissue of the mammary gland.
When contacting a doctor, patients with actinomycosis of the mammary gland complain about abscesses and painful nodules under the skin of the breast, and the skin over ripening abscesses may have a purple color.
After the abscesses are opened, fistulous passages with purulent discharge are formed in their place. The disease is not contagious, but can last for years, periodically aggravating and progressing.
How to correctly diagnose actinomycosis and how to treat it
Traditional diagnostic methods for mammology, such as ultrasound or mammography, are not informative for actinomycosis of the breast. The diagnosis, made on the basis of the initial examination and the discovery of many fistulous passages in the mammary gland, from which pus is released when squeezed, is confirmed by bacteriological culture.
A feature of the treatment of actinomycosis of the mammary gland is the duration of antibiotics (sometimes several months), actinolysates are prescribed, drugs are recommended to strengthen the immune system, vitamins. Ulcers and fistulous passages are subject to opening and purification from purulent masses. If antibiotic therapy is not successful, a sectoral resection is possible, and with a complication in the form of a total purulent process, a mastectomy may be necessary. Most often, actinomycosis of the breast has a favorable prognosis, but it negatively affects the social adaptation of the patient, recovery can be replaced by relapses, and therapy is required for many years.
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