Nocardia infection

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Antibodies

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Nocardia infection

Alternative Names:

Nocardiosis

Treatment:

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

In addition, in patients with abscesses caused by this infection, surgery may be required in order to ensure adequate drainage.

Expectations (prognosis):

Prognosis depends on the sites involved. There is a significant mortality rate if more than 1 site is involved (disseminated nocardiosis). In addition, the degree of impairment of the individual's immune system will affect the outcome.

Complications:

Complications of nocardial infections are varied and depend on the site involved. Certain lung infections may lead to scarring, chronic shortness of breath; skin infections may lead to scarring, disfigurement; brain abscesses may lead to loss of neurological function.

Calling your health care provider:

Notify your medical provider if you have any of the symptoms described above -- these are non-specific and may have numerous causes other than nocardial infections. Alert your provider if you have symptoms involving the lung, skin, or brain in any combination -- in particular if you have a weakened immune system -- as you should be evaluated for several potential infections, including nocardia.

Review Date: 7/14/2004
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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