Clinical and microbiological characteristics of Nocardiosis including those caused by emerging Nocardia species in Taiwan, 1998-2008
Journal
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Journal Volume
16
Journal Issue
7
Pages
966-972
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
The genus of Nocardia is rapidly expanding and the species distribution varies with different geographical locations. We retrospectively reviewed the laboratory records of the bacteriology laboratory at National Taiwan University Hospital from January 1998 to June 2008 to identify patients with nocardiosis. During the study period, 164 isolates of Nocardia spp. were identified from 134 patients but only 113 patients had Nocardia infection. Nocardia brasiliensis (n = 54) was the most common pathogen, followed by N. asteroides (n = 36), N. farcinica (n = 7), N. flavorosea (n = 4). , N. otitidiscaviarum (n = 3). , N. nova (n = 3), N. beijingensis (n = 2) and one each of N. puris, N. jinanensis and N. takedensis. The major types of infection were cutaneous infection (56.6%), pulmonary infection (33.6%) and disseminated infection (7.1%). Eighty-eight patients received sulfonamide-containing antibiotic and eight of 100 patients with available data on outcomes died during the episode of nocardiosis. In conclusion, the clinical and microbiological manifestations of Nocardiosis vary with the different Nocardia species. Accurate identification of the species is crucial to make the diagnosis. ? 2009 The Authors. Journal Compilation ? 2009 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
Other Subjects
amikacin; cefepime; cotrimoxazole; imipenem; meropenem; minocycline; piperacillin plus tazobactam; sulfonamide; adult; article; bacterium identification; bacterium isolate; brain abscess; clinical feature; controlled study; diagnostic accuracy; female; human; lung infection; major clinical study; male; microbiological examination; minimum inhibitory concentration; Nocardia; Nocardia asteroides; Nocardia beijingensis; Nocardia brasiliensis; Nocardia farcinica; Nocardia flavorosea; Nocardia jinanensis; Nocardia nova; Nocardia otitidiscaviarum; Nocardia puris; Nocardia takedensis; nocardiosis; nonhuman; nucleotide sequence; priority journal; retrospective study; skin infection; Taiwan; Nocardia; Nocardia asteroides; Nocardia beijingensis; Nocardia brasiliensis; Nocardia farcinica; Nocardia flavorosea; Nocardia nova; Nocardia otitidiscaviarum; Nocardia puris; Nocardia takedensis
Type
journal article