title: Primary cutaneous nocardiosis.
abstract: A case of primary cutaneous nocardiosis due to Nocardia asteroides occurring in a steroid-dependent asthmatic with no history of trauma is presented. He had a 5 month history of painful nodules on his right shin and calf. He was initially treated with a 6 week course of oral cephalexin 500 mg four times daily, followed by a 2 week course of minocycline 100 mg twice daily with worsening of the infection. A 12 week course of oral clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily led to complete resolution. A discussion of the problems associated with antimicrobial susceptibility testing and nocardia resistance is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal Newcastle Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. antonylau@ozemail.com.au
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sippe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D009616:Nocardia asteroides; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology