What is a Nocardia brain abscess?
Nocardial brain abscesses are a rare central nervous system infection with high morbidity and mortality. Infection is acquired through inhalation or direct innoculation and then spreads hematogenously. They are usually associated with immunocompromised patients but may appear in otherwise healthy individuals.
Is Nocardia life-threatening?
Nocardiosis is a rare and potentially life-threatening infection caused by several species of the genus Nocardia. Nocardia asteroides complex and Nocardia brasiliensis are the species most frequently involved in human disease.
What does nocardia cause?
Nocardiosis is a disease caused by bacteria found in soil and water. It can affect the lungs, brain, and skin. It is most common in people with weakened immune systems who have difficulty fighting off infections (for example, people with cancer or those taking certain medications such as steroids).
Is nocardiosis curable?
Nocardiosis usually can be cured with antibiotics, but not all of them will work against the bacteria. Your doctor might need to run some lab tests to see which ones will work best for you. Then you might need to take them for 6 weeks up to a year, depending on how serious your infection is.
How does brain get Nocardia?
Introduction. Nocardia species are gram-positive, aerobic, branching filamentous bacteria belonging to Actinomycetales and infection enters brain hematogenously or by inhalation.
How do I know if I have Nocardia?
Most cases of nocardiosis begin as pulmonary infections that develop into lung abscesses. Symptoms may include chest pain, cough, bloody sputum, sweats, chills, weakness, lack of appetite, weight loss and difficult or labored breathing. Nocardiosis symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Is Nocardia curable?
What is the prognosis of Nocardia brain abscess?
Nocardia brain abscess accounts for 1 to 2% of cerebral abscesses. Prognosis is poor. Methods: We describe clinical, radiological and bacteriological findings along with therapeutic aspects for five patients and review the literature on Nocardia cerebral abscess.
What are the symptoms of an abscess on the brain?
Symptoms associated with brain abscesses may include severe headache and focal, sensory and motor disturbances. Skin abscesses occur in approximately one-third of all cases of nocardiosis, and are usually found scattered across the hand, chest wall and buttocks.
What are the symptoms of nocardiosis?
The symptoms of nocardiosis vary depending on which part of your body is affected. Nocardiosis most commonly occurs in the lungs. If your lungs are infected, you can experience: When lung infections occur, the infection can spread to the brain. If your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is infected, you can experience:
What are the risks of Nocardia infection?
If your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is infected, you can experience: Skin infections can occur when soil containing Nocardia species gets into open wounds or cuts. Farming or gardening without gloves and protective clothing increases the risk of cuts, thorn pricks, or other minor injuries.