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Nocardiosis is a rare infection caused by several species of bacteria from the genus Nocardia. These bacteria live in soil and are found worldwide. There are two main clinical forms of nocardiosis, disseminated and/or pulmonary infection and cutaneous infection.

Disseminated and/or pulmonary nocardiosis

This is the most common form of nocardiosis and the responsible bacteria are usually N asteroides. Humans become infected by breathing in the organism. Many patients with disseminated and/or pulmonary nocardiosis have immunodeficiency, such as chronic (long-term) lung disease, HIV infection, or long-term use of immunosuppressant medications. Disease often begins in the lungs, but can spread to involve any organ, most commonly the brain (causing brain abscesses), and skin in 10 to 30% of cases.

Primary cutaneous nocardiosis

This is usually caused by N brasiliensis and primarily affects individuals who are otherwise healthy. The bacteria enter the body via a skin wound, such as a cat scratch or a puncture wound from a thorn. Three types of primary cutaneous nocardiosis have been described:

  1. Superficial skin infection
  2. Lymphocutaneous infection
  3. Mycetoma (click on link for details)

Disseminated and/or pulmonary nocardiosis can also spread to involve the skin; in these cases N asteroides is often responsible. Conversely, primary cutaneous disease can rarely spread to involve the lungs, brain, and other organs.

In the United States, an estimated 500-1000 new cases of Nocardia infection occur each year. Worldwide rates of nocardiosis vary by country. Middle aged men performing outdoor labour are at highest risk of infection. Other species of Nocardia less commonly cause infection, such as N farcinica, N nova, N transvalensis, and N pseudobrasiliensis.

Clinical features

Disseminated and/or pulmonary nocardiosis

Disseminated and/or pulmonary nocardiosis often begins with a fever, cough, and chest pain. If infection spreads to the brain, symptoms such as headache, lethargy, confusion, seizures, and sudden onset of paralysis may occur.

Primary cutaneous nocardiosis

In primary cutaneous nocardiosis, there is usually a history of trauma to the skin several days to several months prior.


Diagnosis can be difficult, as Nocardia grow slowly in the laboratory. Blood tests for antibodies against Nocardia are unreliable and not available commercially. Current diagnostic tests include:

KOH microscopy of
Nocardia in culture
Nocardia in agar
Laboratory diagnosis of nocardiosis


Long-term antibiotic therapy is required to prevent relapse; suggested treatment duration ranges from 6 weeks for minor infections, to 1 year for severe disseminated disease.

Surgical drainage or excision is often required for abscesses.


Approximately 10% of cases of uncomplicated pulmonary disease are fatal. The case-fatality rate increases with disseminated disease or brain abscesses, particularly in patients with impaired immunity. Cutaneous nocardiosis is rarely fatal, but long-lasting mycetomal infection can be significantly disfiguring.

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Author: Marie Hartley, Staff Writer

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