Clinical pattern of nocardiosis in Saudi Arabia: a case series

ABSTRACT

We aimed to study the clinical pattern of nocardiosis in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia using a retrospective review of cases from 1987 to 2003. A total of 19 patients were identified as having culture-proven nocardial infection. The most common underlying condition was renal transplantation in 8 patients [42%]. Lungs were the most common sites of involvement in 12 patients [63%]. Three Nocardia species were isolated in our series N. asteroides [58%], N. brasiliensis [21%], and N. otitidiscaviarum [21%]. A high index of suspicion is essential in susceptible patients presenting with pulmonary infiltrate, cerebral abscess or deep soft-tissue abscess and usually requires an active diagnostic workup and early administration of appropriate therapy