Approach to management of nocardiosis
Treatment of nocardiosis consists of an initial phase followed by an eradication phase. Comparative studies to guide antimicrobial therapy are lacking for both choice and duration of therapy. Expert advice is essential when managing patients with nocardiosis.
Nocardiosis cases can be divided into three categories based on patient factors, severity, and site of disease; see Nocardiosis disease categories for treatment.
Nocardiosis cases can be divided into three categories based on patient factors, severity, and site of disease:
Mild disease: nonsevere disease in immunocompetent patients with localised cutaneous disease.
Moderate disease: nonsevere disease in:
- immunocompetent patients with more extensive cutaneous disease
- immunocompromised patients with cutaneous disease (including those with immune compromise caused by a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease or hazardous alcohol use)
- any patient with mild or moderate pulmonary disease.
Severe disease: including CNS disease with brain abscess, disseminated disease and severe pneumonia.