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__NOTOC__
{{Nocardiosis (patient information)}}
{{Nocardiosis (patient information)}}
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Nocardiosis here|Nocardiosis here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Nocardiosis|here]]'''


{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' [[User: Shankar Kumar |Shankar Kumar, M.B.B.S.]] [mailto:kumarshankar@wikidoc.org]]  
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' [[User: Shankar Kumar |Shankar Kumar, M.B.B.S.]] [mailto:kumarshankar@wikidoc.org]]  
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==What are the symptoms of Nocardiosis?==
==What are the symptoms of Nocardiosis?==
Symptoms vary and depend on the organs involved.
Symptoms vary and depend on the organs involved.
*Lungs (pulmonary nocardiosis):
*Lungs ([[pulmonary]] nocardiosis):
**Chest pain when breathing (may occur suddenly or slowly)
**Chest pain when breathing (may occur suddenly or slowly)
**Coughing up blood
**[[Cough]]ing up blood
**Fevers
**[[Fever]]s
**Night sweats
**[[Night sweat]]s
**Weight loss
**[[Weight loss]]
*Brain (cerebral nocardiosis):
*Brain ([[cerebral]] nocardiosis):
**Fever
**Fever
**Headache
**Headache
**Seizures
**[[Seizure]]s
*Skin:
*Skin:
**May become chronically infected (mycetoma) and develop draining tracts
**May become chronically infected ([[mycetoma]]) and develop draining tracts
**Ulcers or nodules with infection sometimes spreading along lymph nodes
**[[Ulcer]]s or [[nodule]]s with infection sometimes spreading along [[lymph node]]s


Some people with nocardia infection have no symptoms.
Some people with nocardia infection have no symptoms.
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Nocardia bacteria are found in soil around the world. You can get the disease by inhaling contaminated dust or if soil containing nocardia bacteria gets into an open wound.
Nocardia bacteria are found in soil around the world. You can get the disease by inhaling contaminated dust or if soil containing nocardia bacteria gets into an open wound.


While individuals with normal immune systems can get this infection, the main risk factors for getting nocardiosis are a weakened immune system or chronic lung disease. People on long-term steroid therapy, those with cancer, organ or bone marrow transplants, or HIV/AIDS are at higher risk.
While individuals with normal immune systems can get this infection, the main risk factors for getting nocardiosis are a weakened immune system or [[chronic]] lung disease. People on long-term [[steroid]] therapy, those with cancer, organ or [[bone marrow transplant]]s, or HIV/AIDS are at higher risk.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Nocardia infection should be suspected in people with lung, brain, or skin symptoms if they also have a condition or conditions that weaken the immune system.
Nocardia infection should be suspected in people with lung, brain, or skin symptoms if they also have a condition or conditions that weaken the immune system.
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Nocardiosis is diagnosed using tests that identify the bacteria. Depending on the part of the body infected, testing may involve taking a tissue sample by:
Nocardiosis is diagnosed using tests that identify the bacteria. Depending on the part of the body infected, testing may involve taking a tissue sample by:
*Brain biopsy
*Brain biopsy
*Bronchoscopy
*[[Bronchoscopy]]
*Lung biopsy
*Lung biopsy
*Skin biopsy
*Skin biopsy
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Notify your medical provider if you have any of the symptoms described above. These are non-specific symptoms that can have many causes other than nocardial infections. If you have lung, skin, or brain symptoms -- particularly if you have a weakened immune system -- tell your doctor. You will need to be evaluated for several potential infections, including nocardia.
Notify your medical provider if you have any of the symptoms described above. These are non-specific symptoms that can have many causes other than nocardial infections. If you have lung, skin, or brain symptoms -- particularly if you have a weakened immune system -- tell your doctor. You will need to be evaluated for several potential infections, including nocardia.
==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
Long-term antibiotic therapy (usually with sulfonamides) for 6 months to a year (or longer depending on the individual and the parts of the body involved) is needed to treat nocardia. Frequently, chronic suppressive therapy (long-term, low-dose antibiotic therapy) is needed.
Long-term antibiotic therapy (usually with [[sulfonamide]]s) for 6 months to a year (or longer depending on the individual and the parts of the body involved) is needed to treat nocardia. Frequently, chronic suppressive therapy (long-term, low-dose antibiotic therapy) is needed.


In addition, patients who develop abscesses caused by this infection may need surgery to completely drain the abscesses.
In addition, patients who develop abscesses caused by this infection may need surgery to completely drain the [[abscess]]es.
==Where to find medical care for Nocardiosis?==
==Where to find medical care for Nocardiosis?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Nocardiosis}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Nocardiosis]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Nocardiosis}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Nocardiosis]

Latest revision as of 20:48, 28 November 2012

Nocardiosis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Nocardiosis?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Nocardiosis On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Nocardiosis

Videos on Nocardiosis

FDA on Nocardiosis

CDC on Nocardiosis

Nocardiosis in the news

Blogs on Nocardiosis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Nocardiosis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Nocardiosis

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Shankar Kumar, M.B.B.S. [2]]

Overview

Nocardia infection is a rare disorder affecting the lungs, brain, or skin. It occurs mainly in people with weakened immune systems.

What are the symptoms of Nocardiosis?

Symptoms vary and depend on the organs involved.

Some people with nocardia infection have no symptoms.

What causes Nocardiosis?

Nocardia infection is a bacterial infection that usually starts in the lungs. It may spread to other organ systems -- most often the brain and the skin. It may also involve the kidneys, joints, heart, eyes, and bones.

Nocardia bacteria are found in soil around the world. You can get the disease by inhaling contaminated dust or if soil containing nocardia bacteria gets into an open wound.

While individuals with normal immune systems can get this infection, the main risk factors for getting nocardiosis are a weakened immune system or chronic lung disease. People on long-term steroid therapy, those with cancer, organ or bone marrow transplants, or HIV/AIDS are at higher risk.

Diagnosis

Nocardia infection should be suspected in people with lung, brain, or skin symptoms if they also have a condition or conditions that weaken the immune system.

Nocardiosis is diagnosed using tests that identify the bacteria. Depending on the part of the body infected, testing may involve taking a tissue sample by:

  • Brain biopsy
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Lung biopsy
  • Skin biopsy
  • Sputum culture

When to seek urgent medical care?

Notify your medical provider if you have any of the symptoms described above. These are non-specific symptoms that can have many causes other than nocardial infections. If you have lung, skin, or brain symptoms -- particularly if you have a weakened immune system -- tell your doctor. You will need to be evaluated for several potential infections, including nocardia.

Treatment options

Long-term antibiotic therapy (usually with sulfonamides) for 6 months to a year (or longer depending on the individual and the parts of the body involved) is needed to treat nocardia. Frequently, chronic suppressive therapy (long-term, low-dose antibiotic therapy) is needed.

In addition, patients who develop abscesses caused by this infection may need surgery to completely drain the abscesses.

Where to find medical care for Nocardiosis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Nocardiosis

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

How well a person does depends on the parts if the body involved. There is a significant death rate if more than one site is involved (disseminated nocardiosis). In addition, an individual's immune system plays a large role in how well they will do.

Possible complications

Complications of nocardial infections vary depending on what parts of the body are involved. Certain lung infections may lead to scarring and chronic shortness of breath. Skin infections may lead to scarring or disfigurement. Brain abscesses may lead to loss of neurological function.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000679.htm

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