Primary cutaneous nocardiosis: A case study and review

BACKGROUND: Primary cutaneous nocardiosis is an uncommon entity. It usually occurs among immunocompetent but occupationally predisposed individuals. AIM: To study clinical profile of patients with primary cutaneous nocardiosis in a tertiary care hospital and to review the literature. METHODS: The records of 10 cases of primary cutaneous nocardiosis were analyzed for clinical pattern, site of involvement with cultural study and response to treatment. RESULTS: All the patients were agricultural workers (nine male) except one housewife. The commonest clinical type was mycetoma. Unusual sites like the scalp and back were involved in two cases. Culture was positive in six cases with N. brasiliensis being commonest organism. N. nova which was previously unreported cause of lymphocutaneous nocardiosis, was noted in one patient, who had associated HIV infection. All the patients responded to cotrimaxazole. CONCLUSION: Mycetoma is the commonest form of primary cutaneous nocardiosis and responds well to cotrimoxazole.