Pathogens
Nocardia sp

Nocardia sp

Susceptibilities

General Information

  • Cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole)
  • Imipenem + Cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) (CNS infections)
  • Linezolid (prolonged treatment associated with neuropathies)
  • Branched, filamentous, Gram positive bacteria; order Actinomycetales
  • First described by Edmond Nocard in 1888
  • >100 species (N. brasiliensis, N. farcinica,...)
  • Saprophyte in the environment (water, dust, earth,...)
  • Infections in immunosuppressed patients (solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant) but approximately 1/3 of infections occur in immunocompetent patients

All organs can be affected

  • Cutaneous infections
  • CNS infection
  • Pulmonary infections