Nocardiosis overview
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Nocardiosis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Nocardiosis overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Nocardiosis overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Nocardiosis is an infectious disease affecting either the lungs (pulmonary nocardiosis) or the whole body (systemic nocardiosis). It is due to infection by bacterium of the genus Nocardia, most commonly Nocardia asteroides or Nocardia brasiliensis.
It is most common in men, especially those with a compromised immune system. In patients with brain infection, mortality exceeds 80%; in other forms, mortality is 50%, even with appropriate therapy. It is one of several conditions that have been called the great imitator.[1]Cutaneous nocardiosis commonly occurs in immunocompetent hosts.[2]
Diagnosis
Laboratory Findings
Diagnosis may be difficult.Nocardiae are weakly acid-fast organisms and can be visualized by modified Ziehl Neelsen stains like Fite-Faraco method. In the clinical laboratory, routine cultures may be held for insufficient time to grow nocardiae, and referral to a reference laboratory may be needed for species identification.
X Ray
Infiltration and pleural effusion are usually seen via x-ray.
References
- ↑ Lederman ER, Crum NF (2004). "A case series and focused review of nocardiosis: clinical and microbiologic aspects". Medicine (Baltimore). 83 (5): 300–13. doi:10.1097/01.md.0000141100.30871.39. PMID 15342974. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0.