title: Case reports of nocardiosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We present 4 local cases of nocardiosis in HIV-infected patients and discuss the diagnosis, clinical syndromes and therapy of nocardiosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Combination therapy is often employed. Sulphonamides or co-trimoxazole, amikacin, imipenen, minocycline and ceftriaxone are some of the drugs that could be used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Disease, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Loo
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009616:Nocardia asteroides; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology*