Nocardia species from bronchopulmonary infections and mycetomas

350 specimens comprising sputum, bronchial aspirate, pleural fluid, pus and biopsy material were investigated for the presence of Nocardia spp. by the paraffin bait technique. Nocardia spp. were isolated in 15 of them. The physiological and morphological characteristics of the organisms and the use of paraffin baiting, a selective technique for isolating Nocardia spp. from clinical specimens, are discussed.