Identification of the actinomycete 16S ribosomal RNA gene by polymerase chain reaction in oral inflammatory lesions

Objectives. To examine the histopathological characteristics of inflammatory lesions containing Actinomyces based on DNA sequencing. Furthermore, case reports of actinomycosis in the maxillofacial region are summarized by a review of the literature. Study design. The study comprised 12 cases of inflammatory lesions containing Actinomyces as diagnosed by DNA analysis. The average age of the subjects was 59 +/- 15 years (6 males; 6 females). Results. The distribution of causative bacteria was: Actinomyces israelii in 9 cases, Actinomyces gerencseriae in 2 cases, and Actinomyces naeslundii in 1 case. Four cases diagnosed by DNA sequencing were positive for "Druse," a known morphological diagnostic characteristic of actinomycosis, and 8 cases lacked typical colony formation. Conclusions. DNA analysis using paraffin-embedded samples is effective for both early and accurate diagnosis of oral lesions containing Actinomyces.