Nocardia Colonization: A Risk Factor for Lung Deterioration in Cystic Fibrosis Patients?
The prognosis of lung disease in CF patients colonized with Nocardia does not seem to differ based on the persistence of growth on cultures, different treatment plans or risk factors. Apparently, Nocardia does not cause a deterioration of lung functions with time. However, it may show a trend to faster decline in PFTs compared to similar status CF patients without isolation of this microorganism in their sputum.
High failure rates were observed in patients with MRSA bacteraemia treated with vancomycin, despite high vancomycin troughs and low rates of nephrotoxicity. Predictors of vancomycin failure included endocarditis and pneumonia. In these situations, vancomycin provides suboptimal therapy.