Botryomycosis
Encyclopedia
Botryomycosis; also known as bacterial pseudomycosis is a rare chronic granulomatous bacterial infection that affects the skin, and sometimes the viscera.
Botryomycosis has been known to affect humans, horses, cattle, swine, dogs and cats.
(1843–1909) in 1870, and its name was coined by Sebastiano Rivolta (1832–1893) in 1884. The name refers to its grape-like granules (Gr. botryo = grapes) and the mistakenly implied fungal
etiology (Gr. mykes = fungus). In 1919 the bacterial origin of the infection was discovered.
is usually the organism that causes the infection
, however it can also be caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
or several other species of bacteria. The anatomic
structure of its lesion
is similar to that of actinomycosis
and mycetoma
, and its granules resemble the sulfur
granules of actinomycosis.
is not completely understood. However, it is usually described in individuals with impaired immunity
, or with an underlying disease such as diabetes mellitus
, cystic fibrosis
or HIV infection.
Botryomycosis has been known to affect humans, horses, cattle, swine, dogs and cats.
History
The disease was originally discovered by Otto BollingerOtto Bollinger
Otto Bollinger was a German pathologist born in Altenkirchen, Kusel, Rhineland-Palatinate.In 1868, he obtained his doctorate at Berlin, receiving his habilitation two years later...
(1843–1909) in 1870, and its name was coined by Sebastiano Rivolta (1832–1893) in 1884. The name refers to its grape-like granules (Gr. botryo = grapes) and the mistakenly implied fungal
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
etiology (Gr. mykes = fungus). In 1919 the bacterial origin of the infection was discovered.
Causes
Staphylococcus aureusStaphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccal bacterium. It is frequently found as part of the normal skin flora on the skin and nasal passages. It is estimated that 20% of the human population are long-term carriers of S. aureus. S. aureus is the most common species of...
is usually the organism that causes the infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
, however it can also be caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common bacterium that can cause disease in animals, including humans. It is found in soil, water, skin flora, and most man-made environments throughout the world. It thrives not only in normal atmospheres, but also in hypoxic atmospheres, and has, thus, colonized many...
or several other species of bacteria. The anatomic
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
structure of its lesion
Lesion
A lesion is any abnormality in the tissue of an organism , usually caused by disease or trauma. Lesion is derived from the Latin word laesio which means injury.- Types :...
is similar to that of actinomycosis
Actinomycosis
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.Actinomycosis occurs rarely in humans...
and mycetoma
Mycetoma
Eumycetoma is a chronic, specific, granulomatous, fungal disease. It mainly affects the foot; and Mycetoma pedis is also known as Madura foot. This infection is endemic in Africa, India, and Central and South America.-Causes and presentation:...
, and its granules resemble the sulfur
Sulfur
Sulfur or sulphur is the chemical element with atomic number 16. In the periodic table it is represented by the symbol S. It is an abundant, multivalent non-metal. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with chemical formula S8. Elemental sulfur is a bright yellow...
granules of actinomycosis.
Associated conditions
There are only a handful of documented cases of botryomycosis in humans, and its pathogenesisPathogenesis
The pathogenesis of a disease is the mechanism by which the disease is caused. The term can also be used to describe the origin and development of the disease and whether it is acute, chronic or recurrent...
is not completely understood. However, it is usually described in individuals with impaired immunity
Immunity (medical)
Immunity is a biological term that describes a state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion. Immunity involves both specific and non-specific components. The non-specific components act either as barriers or as eliminators of wide...
, or with an underlying disease such as diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced...
, cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease affecting most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine...
or HIV infection.