Actinomycetes

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              Actinomycetes are true bacteria (related to corynebacteria and mycobacteria), but they form long, branching filaments that resemble the hyphae of fungi.

They are gram-positive, but some are also acid-fast (Table 22-1).

There are two medically important organisms, Actinomyces israelii and Nocardia asteroides.

N asteroides Actinomycosis (abscess with draining sinuses) Nocardiosis (abscesses in brain and kidneys in immunodeficient patients, pneumonia) Table 22-1.

Hard, yellow granules ("sulfur granules") composed of a mass of filaments are formed in pus.