Nocardia brasiliensis skin infections

Nocardia brasiliensis skin infections were diagnosed in three patients (two with mycetoma and one with lymphocutaneous syndrome) in our hospital during the last 6 years. The mycetomas were detected in otherwise healthy Yemenite immigrants who had acquired their infection while in Yemen. The patient with the lymphocutaneous syndrome--a man with well-controlled diabetes mellitus--acquired his illness in Israel. N. brasiliensis appears to be more common in our region than previously believed. This organism should be considered a possible etiologic agent in some cases of chronic unresponsive skin infection.