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Pulmonary nocardiosis - Overview

Alternative Names

Nocardiosis - pulmonary

Definition of Pulmonary nocardiosis:

Pulmonary nocardiosis is an infection of the lung with the bacteria, Nocardia asteroides.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Nocardia infection develops when you breathe in (inhale) the bacteria. The infection causes pneumonia -like symptoms. The infection can spread to any part of the body.

People at highest risk for nocardia infection are those with a weakened immune system. This includes people who have:

Been taking steroid medicines for a long time
Had an organ transplant
HIV

Other people at risk include those with chronic lung problems related to smoking, emphysema, or other infections such as tuberculosis.

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 9/13/2008
Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Southwick FS. Nocardiosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 351.

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