Nocardia infection causing non-healing surgical wounds: A case series from Bangladesh

Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Sep:110:272-278. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.07.028. Epub 2021 Jul 16.

Abstract

Objective: Nocardia can be introduced accidentally causing non-healing surgical wounds.

Method: From February 2017 to January 2021 samples from wounds were collected. Nocardia identification and susceptibility testing were carried out by standard procedure.

Results: Seventeen (35.4 %) Nocardia spp. and 20 other pathogens (41.7%) were recovered by culture. Drug susceptibility among Nocardia was >70% to amikacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, levofloxacin, linezolid, and imipenem, 47% to cephalosporins and 41% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.

Conclusions: Infections with Nocardia spp. should be considered in non-healing surgical wounds.

Keywords: Nocardia; Non-healing surgical wounds; diagnosis; drug resistance; prolonged sufferings.

MeSH terms

  • Amikacin / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Nocardia Infections* / diagnosis
  • Nocardia Infections* / drug therapy
  • Nocardia Infections* / epidemiology
  • Nocardia*
  • Surgical Wound* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Amikacin