Nocardiain naturally acquired and experimental infections in animals

Abstract

There are three commonly recognized species ofNocardiathat cause disease in a large variety of animals including humans. In the United States, pulmonary or systemic nocardiosis in humans caused byN. asteroidesis most frequently diagnosed. It should be noted thatN. brasiliensiscan cause nocardiosis also. In Central and South America mycetomas induced byN. brasiliensisappear to be more prevalent even thoughN. asteroidescan be seen in this type of infection. Sporadic cases of both mycetoma and nocardiosis caused byN. caviaehave been reported. These three species ofNocardiaappear to be present in the soils of most countries; butN. asteroidesis more frequently isolated in the temperate climates whereasN. brasiliensispredominates in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. No specific geographic distribution has been noted withN. caviae. Infections involving these three species of bacteria are, therefore, worldwide in occurrence. Even though nocardial infections in both humans and animals were recognized as early as 1888, traditionally, they have been considered rare in frequency as compared to many other infectious diseases. This is a perception that probably is not accurate. During the past twenty years, greater diagnostic awareness combined with more intensive medical and veterinary surveillance have resulted in significantly increased recognition of disease caused by these aerobic actinomycetes.

Pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis due to Nocardia nova in a cat

“…In a study of 53 cases of canine nocardiosis from California (USA), the disease was diagnosed more frequently in male and young animals (BEAMAN & SUGAR, 1983), as noted in the current report. Some authors cite higher prevalence of nocardiosis in male cats because they are often roaming or fighting and the lesions are associated to scratches or bite wounds (SYKES, 2012).…”

Nocardiosis: an overview and additional report of 28 cases in cattle and dogs

“…In the same study, 65.4%, 82.7% and 7.8% of the dogs infected were younger than one year, younger than two years and older than six years 7 . In contrast, there was no difference between gender and age on the occurrence of disease in the present study, then nocardiosis occurred both in male and female, and also in young (< 1 year) and adult animals.…”

The medically important aerobic actinomycetes: epidemiology and microbiology

“…However, clinical reports of animal and human disease do not always include a valid identification of the etiologic agent, a complete description of accompanying clinical findings, or histopathologic evidence to confirm invasive disease. Nocardia spp., in particular, N. asteroides, are the most common aerobic actinomycete species that are animal pathogens (45). They have been reported to cause infections in cattle (39,145,242,323,357,368,498,535,564), horses (55,68,122,137), dogs (74,504), and swine (296,376).…”

“…Factors such as nonhygienic milking practices may contribute to the spread of mastitis within a herd. Thus, this disease has the potential to have a severe economic impact on the dairy industry in both developed countries and the developing world (39,45,242,498). Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae are the most frequently identified microorganisms causing sporadic mastitis in cattle; however, other potential etiologic microorganisms include Nocardia spp., other Streptococcus spp., coliforms, and yeasts.…”