Actinomycoses and Nocardia pulmonary infections

Abstract

The practical distinction between the two diseases is in the matter of therapy. Diagnosis depends on a high degree of suspicion so as to alert the microbiology and pathology laboratories to employ special methods to identify the organisms. Early recognition and prompt treatment usually results in complete cure.

Pulmonary Nocardiosis Developed in a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipient with Bronchiolitis Obliterans

“…Most of the reported cases were treated with 640/3,200 mg daily dose of TMP/ STX (5,11,12), although this medication often caused myelosuppression and renal dysfunction especially in patients receiving calcineurin-inhibitors after allogeneic HSCT. In recent years, carbapenem has been shown to possess antiNocardia activities both in vivo (20,21) and in vitro (22). This alternative treatment is less toxic and exhibits a significant effect on TMP/STX resistant species such as N. farcinica and N. otitidiscaviarum.…”

Characteristics of Actinomyces spp. and Nocardia spp. simulating neoplasia

“…bacteria are components of the oropharynx human microbiota, gastrointestinal tract, and female genital tract; they have low virulence, being unable to penetrate the intact mucosa 4,8 . Actinomycosis manifested clinically by combining chronicity, progression through anatomical barriers, and production of tumor-like lesions that mimics cancer…”

“…Furthermore, the antimicrobial susceptibility of Nocardia sp to meropenem, amikacin and ceftriaxone has also been reported to be high 4,5 .…”

“…are common in the environment worldwide, and infection by these bacteria has been reported in all ages and races, being two to three times more common in men 4 . It occurs mainly in patients with a deficiency of local pulmonary defense or systemic immunosuppression 5,6 .…”

Overview of Zoonotic Diseases in Turkey: The One Health Concept and Future Threats

“…The pathogens can be found in environment, such as soil, decomposing vegetation, and other organic matter as well as in fresh and salt water. People with cancer or people taking steroid treatments are at risk for nocardiosis, and the infection often happens via several ways, such as inhalation (pulmonary nocardiosis), traumatic inoculation (cutaneous nocardiosis), and hospital-acquired (extra pulmonary nocardiosis) (204)(205)(206). In Turkey, a solitary case with granulomatous nocardial pleurisy was documented in a dog in Ankara (207).…”