A disease primarily of cattle and man caused by Actinomyces bovis in cattle and by A. israelii and Arachnia propionica in man. These actinomycetes are part of the normal bacterial flora of the mouth and pharynx, but when introduced into tissue they may produce chronic destructive abscesses or granulomas which eventually discharge a viscid pus containing minute yellowish granules (sulfur granules). In man, the disease commonly affects the cervicofacial area, abdomen, or thorax; in cattle, the lesion is commonly found in the mandible. Syn: actinophytosis(1), lumpy jaw.
Origin