Antimicrobial susceptibility of Nocardia nova isolated from five cats with nocardiosis

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1999 Sep 15;215(6):815-7, 795-6.

Abstract

From 1992 through 1997, 5 cats were admitted to the hospital because of chronic, nonhealing lesions containing draining tracts. Exudate from 2 of the 5 cats contained macroscopically visible granules. On the basis of cytologic findings, lesions were described as pyogranulomatous. Degenerative neutrophils and activated macrophages, along with slender, branching, gram-positive, partially acid-fast microorganisms, were observed in stained smears of exudates obtained from all 5 affected cats. Nocardia nova was found in pure culture from all affected sites. Most isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, aminoglycosides (ie, amikacin, kanamycin), tetracyclines (ie, doxycycline, minocycline), macrolides (ie, erythromycin, clarithromycin), imipenem, sulfisoxazole, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Other antimicrobials were less effective, and these included amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, the cephalosporins (ie, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone), and some aminoglycosides (ie, gentamicin, tobramycin). Four of the 5 cats were successfully treated, 3 with a trimethoprim-sulfonamide combination, and 1 with clarithromycin. The outcome of treatment of the fifth cat is unknown. Findings in this report may be useful in diagnosis and treatment of nocardiosis caused by N nova in cats.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cat Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology*
  • Cats
  • Clarithromycin / pharmacology
  • Clarithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Drug Combinations
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / veterinary
  • Nocardia / drug effects*
  • Nocardia / isolation & purification
  • Nocardia Infections / drug therapy
  • Nocardia Infections / microbiology
  • Nocardia Infections / veterinary*
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trimethoprim / pharmacology
  • Trimethoprim / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Sulfonamides
  • Trimethoprim
  • Clarithromycin