How do you get Nocardia infection?
What Is Nocardiosis? Nocardiosis is a rare infection caused by the Nocardia asteroides bacterium. This type of bacteria can be found in the soil and water of regions around the world. People may become infected with this bacteria when they inhale it or when the bacteria enter an open wound.
What is a treatment for Nocardia infections?
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the first-line treatment for Nocardia infections. In patients with a sulfa allergy, imipenem, ceftriaxone, or linezolid are options for first-line therapy.
What disease is caused by Nocardia?
In the United States, nocardiosis most often shows up as a lung infection. In all cases, if the disease is left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body, including the spinal cord and the brain. The brain is the most common site of disseminated infection.
How is Nocardia diagnosed?
Respiratory secretions, skin biopsy samples, and aspirates from abscesses are the most common specimens from which Nocardia species are identified. Direct smears or histopathologic stains of these specimens can be highly suspicious, as noted above. Nocardia species can usually be isolated in 3-5 days.
How do you prevent nocardiosis?
There are no specific ways to prevent infection. People who have weakened immune systems should wear shoes as well as clothing covering the skin, open wounds, and cuts when they are working in the soil. This could prevent skin infections.
How does Nocardia Asteroides affect human body?
It can affect the lungs, brain, and skin. It is most common in people with weakened immune systems who have difficulty fighting off infections (for example, people with cancer or those taking certain medications such as steroids). Antibiotic treatment might be given for several months to get rid of the infection.
Can Nocardia come back?
Nocardia bacteria are able to cause localized or systemic disease in humans and animals. The Nocordia bacteria are able to spread to any organ, specially the central nervous system (brain and spine), and have a tendency to recur or progress despite appropriate treatment.
