Antimicrobial susceptibility of Nocardia nova isolated from five cats with nocardiosis.
From 1992 through 1997, 5 cats were admitted to the hospital because of chronic, nonhealing lesions containing draining tracts. Exudate from 2 of the 5 cats contained macroscopically visible granules. On the basis of cytologic findings, lesions were described as pyogranulomatous. Degenerative neutrophils and activated macrophages, along with slender, branching, gram-positive, partially acid-fast microorganisms, were observed in stained smears of exudates obtained from all 5 affected cats. Nocardia nova was found in pure culture from all affected sites. Most isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, aminoglycosides (ie, amikacin, kanamycin), tetracyclines (ie, doxycycline, minocycline), macrolides (ie, erythromycin, clarithromycin), imipenem, sulfisoxazole, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Other antimicrobials were less effective, and these included amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, the cephalosporins (ie, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone), and some aminoglycosides (ie, gentamicin, tobramycin). Four of the 5 cats were successfully treated, 3 with a trimethoprim-sulfonamide combination, and 1 with clarithromycin. The outcome of treatment of the fifth cat is unknown. Findings in this report may be useful in diagnosis and treatment of nocardiosis caused by N nova in cats.
Hirsh
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DC
Microbiology Service, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Jang
S S
SS
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D009615:Nocardia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014295:Trimethoprim; D017291:Clarithromycin