ISOLATION OF NOCARDIA SP FROM BLOOD CULTURES IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL

To determine the clinical significance of the isolation of Nocardia sp . from blood cultures, clinical records of patients with bacteremia du e to Nocardia sp. in our hospital from January 1986 to December 1990 w ere retrospectively reviewed. Eight patients had 9 blood cultures posi tive for Nocardia sp. Four of the isolates were identified as Nocardia asteroides. Only 2 of the patients had disseminated nocardiosis due t o N. asteroides, and both were appropriately treated for Nocardia sp, In the other cases, isolation of Nocardia sp. was considered nonsignif icant or undetermined, and ah were clinically cured. Nocardia sp, may be an occasional contaminant of blood cultures. The significance of no cardemia is a matter of clinical judgment.