Nocardiosis in the Tropical Northern Territory of Australia, 1997-2014.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nocardia is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause life-threatening disease. We aimed to characterize the epidemiological, microbiological, and clinical features of nocardiosis in the tropical north of Australia.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of nocardiosis diagnosed between 1997 and 2014. Population-based incidences were calculated using district population data.

Results

Clinically significant nocardiosis was identified in 61 patients. The unadjusted population-based annual incidence of nocardiosis was 2.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55-2.60) per 100000 people and was 1.7 (95% CI, .96-2.90) fold higher in Indigenous compared with non-Indigenous persons (P = .027). Of 61 patients, 47 (77%) had chronic lung disease,

SUBMITTER: McGuinness SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5144655 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature