ABSTRACT
Introduction: We present 4 local cases of nocardiosis in HIV-infected patients and discuss the diagnosis, clinical syndromes and therapy of nocardiosis.
Clinical Picture: Two cases presented with pulmonary nocardiosis, one had a cervical lymph node abscess and one had disseminated nocardiosis with pulmonary, cerebral and soft tissue involvement. Treatment: Combination therapy is often employed. Sulphonamides or co-trimoxazole, amikacin, imipenen, minocycline and ceftriaxone are some of the drugs that could be used. Outcome: Outcome hinges on the early recognition and optimal treatment of this infection. Conclusions: Clinical presentations vary and diagnosis is difficult and frequently delayed. Nocardiosis should be suspected in patients who present with pulmonary lesions with soft tissue and/or cerebral abscesses.Nocardiosis is an infection caused by a soil-borne aerobic filamentous bacterium in the genus Nocardia and the order Actinomycetales. Within the genus Nocardia, N. asteroides, N. brasiliensis and N. caviae are responsible for nearly all nocardial infections in man.
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