Nocardiosis: a case series and a mini review of clinical and microbiological features

Abstract

Infections caused by Nocardia species are uncommon and have a wide variety of clinical manifestations in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis of nocardiosis can easily be missed because there are no characteristic symptoms. We present one case of a Nocardia infection in detail and give a brief description of eight other cases, including a relatively unique type of Nocardia veterana, diagnosed in our hospital during a five-year period. The diversity of clinical manifestations, microbiological identification and general principles of treatment of nocardiosis are reviewed.