Abdominal actinomycosis

Abstract

Actinomycosis is an uncommon chronic suppurative disease with a worldwide distribution. The causative organism, Actinomyces Israeli, presently classified as a gram +ve bacteria (Muir, 1975) is an oral commerisal in man. The gastro intestinal involvement is believed to be auto-genus. It is difficult to ascertain the incidence of this disease in Zambia. However, during a two year period (1976-1977) four cases of abdominal actinomycosis were managed at Ndola Central Hospital® This paper is concerned with the report of these cases and a critical evaluation of the problem of this form of the disease.