NOCARDIOSIS: A NEGLECTED DISEASE.

: Nocardiosis is a well-read but neglected tropical disease. It has varied geographical presence and a spectrum of clinical presentations. This review aims to concentrate on national and international epidemiology of nocardial infections with a systematic approach to their diagnosis and treatment. Nocardia masquerades chronic infections and ailments, may remain cryptic but progressive in its course. Unless suspected, diagnosis can be easily missed resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Thorough knowledge of local epidemiology, demography, clinical course and presentation, diagnostic modalities and antibiotic susceptibility patterns, of the prevalent Nocardia species, is essential to curb spread of this infection.