title: Evidence for the pathogenic role of Rhodococcus species in pulmonary diseases.
abstract: Three hundred expectorated sputa from patients suffering from chest disorders were examined microscopically and cultured on various media. Among other micro-organisms isolated there were four strains of Rhodococcus aurantiacus (Gordona aurantiaca), one each of Rh. erythropolis, Rh. pellegrino, Rh. rubropertinctus and Rh. rhodnii. Suspensions in 5% hog gastric mucin were virulent for immuno-suppressed white mice and the pathology of their lungs was compatible with those produced in experimental nocardial and rhodococcus infections. The in-vitro antibiogram was similar to that of Nocardia asteroides. Two of the patients from whom Rh. aurantiacus and Rh. pellegrino were isolated responded bacteriologically and clinically to treatment with co-trimoxazole. The frequency with which these rhodococci were isolated and the clinical conditions of the patients strongly indicated a pathogenic role for some Rhodococcus species. It is suggested that rhodococci should be sought in chronic pulmonary infections, particularly in those who are immuno-compromised or debilitated, and their aetiologic role determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
authors.forename: O U
authors.initials: OU
authors.lastname: Osoagbaka
mesh_terms: D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009549:Nigeria; D012240:Rhodococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology