Nocardial infection in Crete, Greece: Review of fifteen cases from 2003 to 2007

During a 5-y period (2003 - 2007), nocardial infections were diagnosed in 15 patients admitted to the University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Nine patients (60%) had 1 or more underlying conditions predisposing to nocardiosis. The skin was involved in 10 cases, followed by the lung in 4. One patient had disseminated disease. Five different species were identified: N. brasiliensis (n =7), N. otitidiscaviarum (n=4), N. abscessus (n=2), N. transvalensis (n=1), and N. farcinica (n=1). The most common species was N. brasiliensis. All isolates were sensitive to linezolid, moxifloxacin, and tigecycline, and 80% of them to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Antibiotics were given to all 15 patients. A clinical response was observed in 14 of them, while 1 died of nocardiosis. Nocardiosis is a rare but sometimes life-threatening infection, complicating immunosuppression. Early diagnosis and timely administration of appropriate treatment result in a favourable outcome.