Overview
Nocardiosis is a rare bacterial infection caused by bacteria called Nocardia. These bacteria are found naturally in soil, water, and decaying plant matter around the world. Most healthy people who come into contact with Nocardia never get sick. However, people with weakened immune systems — such as those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, cancer, or long-term steroid use — are much more vulnerable to developing this infection. Nocardia bacteria can enter the body through the lungs when a person breathes in contaminated dust or soil particles. From there, the infection can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, most commonly the brain, skin, and soft tissues. When the infection stays in the lungs, it causes symptoms similar to pneumonia. When it spreads to the brain, it can cause abscesses — pockets of infection — that are very serious. Skin infections can happen when bacteria enter through a cut or wound. Nocardiosis is treated with antibiotics, usually for a long period of time — often six months to a year or more, especially if the brain is involved. The most commonly used antibiotic is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), though other antibiotics like imipenem, amikacin, or linezolid may also be used. With proper treatment, many people recover, but the disease can be life-threatening if not caught and treated early, particularly in people with severely weakened immune systems.
Key symptoms:
Persistent cough that does not go awayFever and chillsChest pain when breathingShortness of breathFatigue and general weaknessNight sweatsUnexplained weight lossHeadachesConfusion or changes in thinkingSkin sores or lumps that may drain fluidSwollen lymph nodesMuscle weakness or difficulty movingSeizures (if the brain is affected)
Clinical phenotype terms (50)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Nocardiosis.
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Nocardiosis.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which type of Nocardia bacteria do I have, and does that affect which antibiotic I should take?,How long will I need to take antibiotics, and what side effects should I watch out for?,Do I need any imaging tests like a CT scan of my brain to check if the infection has spread?,What signs should prompt me to go to the emergency room right away?,Will my immune system condition make it harder to treat this infection, and do I need to change any of my other medications?,How will we know the treatment is working, and how often will I need follow-up tests?,Is there a risk that the infection will come back, and if so, what can be done to prevent that?
Common questions about Nocardiosis
What is Nocardiosis?
Nocardiosis is a rare bacterial infection caused by bacteria called Nocardia. These bacteria are found naturally in soil, water, and decaying plant matter around the world. Most healthy people who come into contact with Nocardia never get sick. However, people with weakened immune systems — such as those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, cancer, or long-term steroid use — are much more vulnerable to developing this infection. Nocardia bacteria can enter the body through the lungs when a person breathes in contaminated dust or soil particles. From there, the infection can spread through the bl
How is Nocardiosis inherited?
Nocardiosis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Nocardiosis?
7 specialists and care centers treating Nocardiosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.