Nocardiosis After Appendicectomy

Abstract

Nocardiosis is a rare infection of world-wide distribution caused by Nocardia asteroides, and less often by other Nocardta species. The genus Nocardia is placed in the order Actinomycetales, together with the genera Actinomyces and Mycobacterium. Characteristically, nocardia grow in filaments which show branching, and this gives them a superficial resemblance to fungi. Nevertheless, they are classified at true bacteria. Nocardiosis usually occurs as a chronic respiratory disease. Metastasis to secondary sites is frequent and may involve any tissue. In the following case infection appears to have originated from the intestinal lumen. Though this is a recognized route of infection in actinomycosis, it has not been associated with nocardiosis. The diagnosis in this case was not established until one year after the onset of symptoms, and this report is made to increase awareness of this condition. © 1971, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.