ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the species, antimicrobial resistance, and fluoroquinolone resistance gene profiles of Nocardia in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University. Methods Nocardia isolates were collected in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University during the period from January 2013 to June 2017. Broth dilution method was used to determine the susceptibility of the Nocardia strains to 15 antibiotics. Fluoroquinolone resistance genes gyrA, parC, qnrA, qnrB and qnrS were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Results A total of 16 isolates of Nocardia were collected, including Nocardia cyriacigeorgica (62.6％, 10/16), Nocardia farcinica (18.7％, 3/16), and Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (18.7％, 3/16). Most Nocardia isolates (81.2％, 13/16) were resistant to ciprofloxacin. About 12.5％, 12.5％, 25.0％ and 18.7％ of the strains were resistant to ceftriaxone, tobramycin, gentamicin and cefepime. Overall, gyrA, parC, qnrA and qnrB were identified in 18.8％, 37.5％, 25.0％ and 18.7％ of the Nocardia strains. The qnrS gene was not found in any strain. Conclusions The most frequently Nocardia species in the hospital was Nocardia cyriacigeorgica. Fluoroquinolone resistance is serious in the Nocardia isolates.Fluoroquinolone resistance of Nocardia is likely associated with gyrA, parC, qnrA, and qnrB genes. We should pay close attention to the emergence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Nocardia infection.