Fact-sheet: Nocardiosis
Updated on 10/05/2016 at 2:37 PM
View all RADEOS cases associated with this fact-sheet
Definition
Bacterial infection with Nocardia (Gram-positive aerobe) found in soil, plants, and water.
Clinical features
Manifestations depend on the site of involvement.
Pulmonary involvement is the most common: asthenia, fever, cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and weight loss.
Cutaneous involvement: pustules, Cellulitis, pyoderma, perionychia, ulcerations, abscesses.
Subcutaneous involvement: Mycetoma - Madura foot.
Disseminated disease (in immunocompromised patients) leads to cerebral and meningeal involvement.
Laboratory findings
Bacteriological sampling to detect Nocardia
Radiography
More or less organized alveolar syndromes.
Interstitial or reticulonodular infiltrates.
Miliary pattern.
Nodules and masses (frequently cavitated).
Pleural effusion.
Mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
CT
Interstitial or reticulonodular infiltrates.
Miliary pattern.
Nodules and masses (frequently cavitated).
Pleural effusion.
Mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
Management
Antibiotic therapy (particularly trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole)