The second case of mycetoma due to Nocardia caviae in Israel

Abstract

A second case of actinomycetoma due to Nocardia caviae contracted in Israel is reported. A 39-year-old female of Yemenite origin, resident in Israel for more than 15 years, presented with a sclerotic tumor mass on the dorsum of the right foot which discharged an oily purulent fluid containing minute yellowish granules. Seen in the microscopic examination of smears were thin Gram-positive filaments and bacillary elements. Culture of the crushed granules yielded small pale colonies identified as Nocardia caviae. In vitro testing of the isolate to various antibiotics, isoniaside and sulphonamides showed the organism to be more sensitive to isoniaside and tetracycline. Isoniaside was administered for one year with marked improvement and was then replaced by tetracycline due to side effects, this treatment still being continued.