Abstract
Nocardia is a genus of bacteria that can cause infections in human beings as well as animals. It is a typical infection in immunosuppressed patients, although it also affects immunocompetent subjects, particularly its cutaneous form. The main risk factors are chronic lung disease and diseases that induce cellular immunosuppression such as cancers, transplantation, corticosteroid treatment and HIV infection. The most common clinical presentation in our environment is pulmonary. There are also cutaneous and disseminated forms, that target the central nervous system (CNS) in particular, and that result in high mortality. Clinical suspicion is essential for diagnosis, as well as a targeted microbiological study. In vitro susceptibility study is recommended to support the treatment. Cotrimoxazole remains the drug of first choice; however, for serious and/or disseminated forms treatment must include at least two antimicrobial agents that are active against Nocardia. Treatment must be prolonged to prevent relapse.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Medicine - Programa de Formación Médica Continuada acreditado
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
