Properties

Pathogenesis

Clinical findings

Laboratory diagnosis

Treatment & Prevention

Gram-positive

Aerobes

Show branching

Acid-fast

Found in soil & other environmental sources.

Opportunistic infections affecting patients on immunosuppressive therapy and AIDS.

Nocardiosis:

- begins as pulmonary infection.

- progress to form abscesses in many organs including the brain & kidneys.

- primary skin infections are also seen.

Madura foot:

- occurs in tropical countries.

- chronic destructive infection of bone & soft tissues following inoculation into the skin.

Examination of sputum or pus shows Gram-positive bacteria & sometimes branching beaded filaments.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for several months.

Surgical drainage may be needed.