0
Nocardia infection is a rare disorder affecting the lungs, brain, or skin. It occurs mainly in people with weakened immune systems.
Alternative NamesNocardiosis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsNocardia infection is a bacterial infection that usually starts in the lungs. It then tends to spread to other organ systems -- most often the brain and the skin. It may also involve the kidneys, the joints, the heart, the eyes, and the 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 risk.
SymptomsSymptoms vary and depend on the organs involved.
- Lungs (pulmonary nocardiosis):
- Chest pain when breathing (may occur suddenly or slowly)
- Coughing up blood
- Fevers
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Brain (cerebral nocardiosis):
- Fever
- Headache
- Loss of neurological function (depending on the part of the brain affected)
- Skin:
- May become chronically infected (mycetoma) and develop draining tracts
- Ulcers or nodules with infection sometimes spreading along lymph nodes
Some people with nocardia infection have no symptoms.
Signs and testsNocardia 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
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.
Expectations (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.
ComplicationsComplications 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.
Calling your health care providerNotify 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.
ReferencesSorrell TC, Mitchell DH, Iredell JR. Nocardia species. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005: chap 252.
Southwick FS. Nocardiosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 351.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoNocardia infection is a rare disorder affecting the lungs, brain, or skin. It occurs mainly in people with weakened immune systems.
Alternative NamesNocardiosis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsNocardia 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.
SymptomsSymptoms vary and depend on the organs involved.
- Lungs (pulmonary nocardiosis):
- Chest pain when breathing (may occur suddenly or slowly)
- Coughing up blood
- Fevers
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Brain (cerebral nocardiosis):
- Fever
- Headache
- Seizures
- Skin:
- May become chronically infected (mycetoma) and develop draining tracts
- Ulcers or nodules with infection sometimes spreading along lymph nodes
Some people with nocardia infection have no symptoms.
Signs and testsNocardia 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
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.
Expectations (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.
ComplicationsComplications 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.
Calling your health care providerNotify 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.
ReferencesSorrell TC, Mitchell DH, Iredell JR. Nocardia species. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005: chap 252.
Southwick FS. Nocardiosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 351.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/15/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Can nocardia be transmitted to humans by cats?
Yes.
Does nocardia have mycolic acid?
Yes, Nocardia does have mycolic acid in its cell wall. Mycolic acid is a characteristic component of the cell wall in members of the genus Nocardia, which are classified as acid-fast bacteria due to their resistance to acid-fast staining procedures.
What is the usual mycelial growth patterns in the genus nocardia?
Nocardia species typically exhibit filamentous, branching growth patterns similar to fungal hyphae. They form a branching network of mycelium that can be seen under the microscope. However, unlike true fungi, Nocardia are classified as actinomycetes, which are a group of bacteria that share some characteristics with fungi.
What lacks a cell wall borrelia mycoplasma mycobacteriu clostridium nocardia?
mycobacterium
Aside from the genus Mycobacterium name other groups of microorganisms which are considered as acid-fast or partially acid-fast?
Other groups of microorganisms considered acid-fast or partially acid-fast include Nocardia, Rhodococcus, and Cryptosporidium. These organisms have cell walls that retain carbol fuchsin dye despite decolorization with acid-alcohol.
The difference in cell wall structure of Mycobacterium and Nocardia compared to the typical gram positive bacterial cell wall structure is?
Mycobacterium and Nocardia have unique cell walls containing mycolic acids, which are hydrophobic and contribute to their acid-fast staining property. This gives them resistance to harsh conditions such as antibiotics and disinfectants and enables them to survive in the host. Gram-positive bacteria have a peptidoglycan layer that is significantly thicker compared to Mycobacterium and Nocardia, providing structural support and protection.
What is an example of a parasitic bacteria?
There are many different types of parasitic bacteria in the world. Some of these include Brucella, Legionella, Mycobacterium, and Nocardia.
What are the causes of nocardiosis?
Nocardiosis is caused by a bacterium of the Nocardia species--usually N. asteroides, an organism that is normally found in the soil. The incubation period is not known, but is probably several weeks.
How is nocardiosis diagnosed?
Nocardiosis is typically diagnosed through a combination of clinical symptoms, imaging studies like chest X-rays or CT scans, and laboratory tests such as sputum or tissue cultures. Microscopic examination of samples can also aid in identifying the bacteria responsible for the infection. Confirmation of the diagnosis is usually done through isolation and identification of Nocardia species from clinical specimens.
What is a gram positive aerobic bacteria which uses citrate and dextrose?
I think that there are two possible answers....first, Nocardia and, also, Bacillus anthracis. Lactobacillus might also work; however it is a microaerophilic organism and can only tolerate lesser levels of oxygen than a true aerobic organism. But all three are gram positive and, I believe, thrive with both dextrose and citrate. Nocardia has a Trycarboxylic acid cycle which utilizes both dextrose and citrate.
Pulmonary nocardiosis?
DefinitionPulmonary nocardiosis is an infection of the lung with the bacteria, Nocardia asteroides.Alternative NamesNocardiosis - pulmonaryCauses, incidence, and risk factorsNocardia infection develops when you breathe in (inhale) the bacteria. The infection causes pneumonia -like symptoms. The infection can spread to any part of the body.People at highest risk for nocardia infection are those with a weakened immune system. This includes people who have:Been taking steroid medicines for a long timeHad an organ transplantHIVOther people at risk include those with chronic lung problems related to smoking, emphysema, or other infections such as tuberculosis.SymptomsEntire body Fever (comes and goes)General ill feeling (malaise)Night sweats, excessive sweating at nightGastrointestinal system NauseaSwollen liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly)Unintentional weight lossVomitingLungs and airways Breathing gets harder and harder (pulmonary insufficiency)Chest pain not due to heart problemsCoughing up bloodCough with mucusRapid breathingShortness of breathMuscles and joints Joint painNervous system Change in mental stateConfusionDizzinessHeadacheSeizuresSkin Skin rashes or lumpsSkin sores (abscesses)Swollen lymph nodesSigns and testsBronchial alveolar lavage - fluid is sent for stain and cultureBronchoscopyChest x-rayCrackles (rales) in the infected lung detected by stethoscopeCT scanDecreased breath sounds in the lungPleural fluid culture and stainSputum stain and cultureTreatmentThe goal of treatment is to control the infection. Antibiotics are used, but the response to treatment may be slow and you must keep taking the medications for at least 3 months. Patients who have medication allergies will need to take other antibiotics.Surgery may be needed to remove or drain infected areas.Expectations (prognosis)The outcome is usually good with quick diagnosis and treatment. The outcome is poor when the infection spreads and treatment is delayed.ComplicationsBrain abscessesDiseased tissue (lesions) in the ribsSkin infectionsCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of this disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve the chance of a good outcome.PreventionBe careful when using corticosteroids. Use these drugs sparingly, in the lowest effective doses and for the shortest periods of time possible.Some patients with an impaired immune system may need to take antibiotics for long periods of time to prevent the infection from returning.ReferencesSouthwick FS. Nocardiosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 351.
What lipid is responsible for the acid fastness of acid fast organisms?
Mycolic acid is the lipid responsible for the acid-fastness of acid-fast organisms. It is a wax-like lipid found in the cell wall of bacteria such as Mycobacterium and Nocardia, contributing to their resistance to acid-fast staining techniques.
