Pathogenicity

 

PATHOGENICITY
  • Nocardia species have been isolated from a variety of clinical situations, though the genus is in general an opportunistic pathogen.
  • In primary nocardiosis, severe, suppurative or cavitary pulmonary infection simulating tuberculosis is often observed and in some cases, show cutaneous and subcutaneous abscesses which are diagnostic of N. asteroids.
  • Blood stream invasion with secondary, often fatal, involvement of the internal organs and the central nervous system are seen in N. asteroids.
  • In the bovine species the most important disease condition is mastitis whose presentation is in the form of extensive fibrosis. N. asteroids is the most often isolated species.
Last modified: Monday, 4 June 2012, 5:06 AM