title: Characterization of clinical isolates of pathogenic Nocardia strains and related actinomycetes in Thailand from 1996 to 2003.
abstract: In Thailand from 1996 to 2003, 171 strains of pathogenic aerobic actinomycetes from clinical specimens were isolated. Of those strains, 134 were mycolic acid containing actinomycetes, including 96 strains of Nocardia species. Others included 10 strains of Gordonia, 14 strains of Rhodococcus, and 22 strains of Mycobacterium. One strain each of the genera Tsukamurella and Corynebacterium were also isolated. Also identified were 27 strains of non-mycolic acid containing actinomycetes. Our identification studies of 96 strains of Nocardia species showed that significant pathogens in Thailand were N. beijingensis (18 strains), N. cyriacigeorgica (13 strains), and N. farcinica (34 strains); the most prevalent species was N. farcinica (35.4%). We also isolated four strains of N. asiatica, five strains of N. asteroides sensu stricto, four strains of N. nova, seven strains of N. otitidiscaviarum, eight strains of N. transvalensis, and two strains of N. pseudobrasiliensis.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Soi Bamrasnaradura, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Natteewan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Poonwan
authors.forename: Nanthawan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mekha
authors.forename: Katsukiyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yazawa
authors.forename: Sudaluck
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thunyaharn
authors.forename: Ademar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
authors.forename: Yuzuru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mikami
mesh_terms: D039903:Actinobacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009171:Mycolic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D009615:Nocardia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D009171:Mycolic Acids