I have recently been diagnosed with Nocardia bacteria infection in my lung. I'm in need of a pulmonologist experienced in diagnoses and treatment for this disease. Anyone out there have an idea where/how I can find one?
Thanks.

That is going to be hard as it is very rare. Is there anyway you could get to a teaching hospital or to University in Reno? I seriously doubt even where I live which is pretty cosmopolitan that there is a pulmo that deals in this. I am wondering if there is another specialty that works with this since it appears to be a disease of the immune system. Perhaps an Infectious disease clinic in a larger city.

I am in same position, what have you done since August? Help please.

I have recently been diagnosed with Nocardia bacteria infection in my lung. I'm in need of a pulmonologist experienced in diagnoses and treatment for this disease. Anyone out there have an idea where/how I can find one?
Thanks.
Hi there,

Nocardia is a bacteria which acts a lot like a fungus, and is also often confused with tuberculosis because of its characteristics under the microscope.

It is generally an organism which lives in soil and water, and usually only affects people who are immunosuppressed in some way. So first off, is your immune system impaired in any way?

Severe diabetes
on prednisone
had an organ transplant?
have a bone marrow disease?
have cancer and on chemotherapy?

Nocardia loves to attack the lungs as well as the brain and cause abscesses. Don't be alarmed though, having lung disease does not indicate that you have something in your brain as well. Because Nocardia is relatively rare, it is best treated by an infectious diseases specialist, most of whom you'll find in a bigger medical center, often an academic one. The drug of choice for Nocardia is generally things which can kill intracellular pathogens such as Septra (Bactrim in the US) and also other more toxic drugs like linezolid and amikacin. The problem with Nocardia is that you have to treat it for a long period of time often lasting up to 3-6 months. That's why you need an infectious diseases specialist to follow you.

I saw postings for NJH - hospital / center which supposedly specializes in respiratory/lung issues, did you look into NJH or go there? How long were you sick before you were diagnosed and what were your symptoms? Were you on Bactim (or what drug) and how long did it take for you to get over this . . . what is working?