Isolation of Nocardia cyriacigeorgica from Patient Suspected to Tuberculosis

Nocardia are gram-positive and partially acid-fast bacteria with saprophytic lives in the environment. These groups of bacteria are able to enter the human body through traumatic inhalation and may consequently cause Nocardiosis infections. Case Presentation: A ۳۲-year-old man was referred to Al-Zahra Hospital with symptoms such as fever, gradual weight loss, and persistent coughing. First, the patient was speculated to have Tuberculosis, but Mycobacterium tuberculosis was not isolated in any sputum samples. Ultimately, a broncho-alveolar lavage sample was acquired from the patient and according to the patientchr('۳۹')s clinical presentation and microbial assessments, the cause of illness was found to be Nocardia cyriacigeorgica. Conclusion: According to this report, Nocardiosis infections may occur in immune-compromised patients and even healthy individuals. Given the similarities between the clinical manifestations and radiological findings of Tuberculosis and Nocardia pulmonary infections, medical laboratories should identify Nocardial infections in suspected TB patients.

Keywords:

Nocardia cyriacigeorgica , Isolation methods , Antimicrobial susceptibility tests