Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) of the immunoglobulin G2A isotype, reacting with a Nocardia-specific 54-kDa antigen, were generated. As determined by Western blot (immunoblot), both MAbs reacted only with the 54-kDa band. As determined by indirect immunofluorescence or enzyme immunoassay with whole microorganisms, the MAbs did not react with Nocardia cells. One of the MAbs showed weak cross-re...

We report a case of nocardiosis in an immunosuppressed elderly patient who presented with prolonged pyrexia. Nocardia asteroides was isolated from the thyroid, with CT scan evidence of dissemination to the brain, abdomen and lungs. The patient succumbed to illness despite aggressive therapy. Autopsy could not be performed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case from India...

The in vitro activities of TP-271, a novel fluorocycline antimicrobial, against 22 isolates of Mycobacterium abscessus, 22 isolates of Mycobacterium fortuitum, and 19 isolates of Nocardia spp. were studied by a microtiter broth dilution method. The MIC(90)s for M. abscessus, M. fortuitum, and Nocardia spp. were 0.5 μg/ml, 0.03 μg/ml, and 8 μg/ml, respectively. TP-271 was significantly more acti...

Nocardia keratitis occurred in 4 eyes of 3 patients (2 women and 1 man) who had photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) by the same surgeon at the same center. Two eyes of the first 2 patients required lamellar keratectomy to debulk the involved stroma and obtain specimens for microbiological and histopathological evaluation. Light microscopic examination disclosed gram-positive and acid-fast filamen...

A strain of Nocardia interforma having low productivity of formycin A was selected. Washed cells of this strain convert formycin B to oxoformycin B (reaction I), while those of the original strain collected during formycin A producing phase convert formycin B to formycin A (reaction II). Reaction I is inhibited by allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase. Reaction II is inhibited by hadaci...

We describe a case of mycetoma which typified the classic presentation of the disease: a male farmer with affection of the lower limbs and a history of trauma. The patient presented with a swollen right lower limb showing multiple discharging sinuses for 25 years. Histopathologically, grains were found by HE stain, and clustered yeast-like cells were observed by PAS stain. The distinctive 'dot-...

Nocardia infection is rare but potentially fatal. Therapy of Nocardia infection remains difficult. Linezolid, a novel oxazolidinone antibiotic, has proven to be effective, but clinical data are limited. Here we describe a case of a 45-year-old man with pulmonary N. farcinica infection following a liver transplantation. The initial therapy was trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which showed no effec...

Activated sludge plants (ASP) are associated with the stable foaming problem worldwide. Apart from the physical and chemical treatment methods, biological treatment method has been least explored and may prove to be a novel and ecofriendly approach to tackle the problem of stable foam formation. In ASP Nocardia species are commonly found and are one of the major causes for forming sticky and st...

Nocardia 107-332, a soil isolate, oxidizes short-chain alkyl-substituted cyclic hydrocarbons to cyclic acids while growing on n-alkanes. Cyclic acids are produced also from relatively long-chain alkyl-substituted cyclics such as n-nonylbenzene or n-dodecylbenzene which alone support growth in a mineral-salts medium. omega-Oxidation of the alkyl substituents is followed by beta-oxidation. It is ...