title: Nocardial infection in Crete, Greece: review of fifteen cases from 2003 to 2007.
abstract: During a 5-y period (2003 - 2007), nocardial infections were diagnosed in 15 patients admitted to the University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Nine patients (60%) had 1 or more underlying conditions predisposing to nocardiosis. The skin was involved in 10 cases, followed by the lung in 4. One patient had disseminated disease. Five different species were identified: N. brasiliensis (n =7), N. otitidiscaviarum (n=4), N. abscessus (n=2), N. transvalensis (n=1), and N. farcinica (n=1). The most common species was N. brasiliensis. All isolates were sensitive to linezolid, moxifloxacin, and tigecycline, and 80% of them to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Antibiotics were given to all 15 patients. A clinical response was observed in 14 of them, while 1 died of nocardiosis. Nocardiosis is a rare but sometimes life-threatening infection, complicating immunosuppression. Early diagnosis and timely administration of appropriate treatment result in a favourable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maraki
authors.forename: Efstathia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scoulica
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nioti
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tselentis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009615:Nocardia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination