Nocardia brasiliensis : in vitro and in vivo growth response to steroid sex hormones

As actinomycetoma is more frequent in males than in females, the possibility that hormones might modify the Nocardia brasiliensis growth and the course of experimental actinomycetoma was explored. Five N. brasiliensis strains were grown on Sabouraud agar containing estradiol, progesterone or testosterone, in 3 different concentrations. Colony diameters were measured weekly for 7 weeks. N. brasiliensis strains were also grown in Sabouraud broth containing hormones. Glucose concentration was measured weekly for 6 weeks. Finally, experimental actinomycetoma was produced in male and female hormone-treated mice. Invasion rate, plantar pad diameter and positive retrocultures were assessed. In vitro experiments showed that progesterone and testosterone inhibit N. brasiliensis growth, manifested by lower colony diameters and greater glucose concentrations. In vivo experiments demonstrated that estradiol limits actinomycetoma development. Progesterone and testosterone induced greater diameters of inoculated plantar pads and greater invasion rates with greater positive culture numbers than estradiol. Results partially explain the resistance of females to actinomycetoma.