[Epidemiology and clinical manifestations of infection due to Nocardia species in Tarragona, 1997-2008: Nocardia cyriacigeorgica is an emerging pathogen].
BACKGROUND
Nocardia infections are uncommon, and the clinical experience with this pathogen is limited.


METHODS
We describe the clinical characteristics of a series of 22 patients (17 men) with Nocardia infection seen between 1997 and 2008.


RESULTS
Mean age was 63.2+/-19.2 years. The most common clinical forms observed were lower respiratory tract infection (15/22, 68%, 8 bronchitis and 7 pneumonia) mainly in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (10/22, 45%), and skin involvement (4/22, 19%). Seven different Nocardia species were recovered, the most common being N. asteroides (n=6), N. abscessus (n=4), and N. cyriacigeorgica (n=4). Sensitivity studies, available in 16/22 patients, showed that all Nocardia were sensitive to cotrimoxazole. N. cyriacigeorgica caused respiratory infections (2 bronchitis and 2 pneumonia) with a mortality rate of 50%.


CONCLUSIONS
The most common clinical form of Nocardia infection is a lower respiratory tract infection in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Infections by N. cyriacigeorgica are increasing.
Portolá
Olga
O
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, España.
Guitart
Ramón
R
Gómez
Frederic
F
Olona
Montserrat
M
Vidal
Francesc
F
Castro
Antoni
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009615:Nocardia / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009616:Nocardia asteroides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013045:Species Specificity