A genus of bacteria found in soil, some species of which cause nocardiosis and maduramycosis.
A genus of rodlike or filamentous Gram-positive nonmotile bacteria found in the soil. As cultures age, filaments form branches, but these soon break up into rodlike or spherical cells. Three or more spores may form in each cell; these germinate to form filaments. Some species are pathogenic: N. asteroides causes nocardiosis and N. madurae is associated with the disease Madura foot.
A genus of gram-positive aerobic bacilli that often appear in filaments. Some species are acid-fast and thus may be confused with the causative organism for tuberculosis when stained. A species pathogenic for humans causes the disease nocardiosis.