Nocardia infection in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A case of Nocardia asteroides pneumonia in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who was intolerant of sulfadiazine is described. On cefuroxime, the patient had a complete resolution of his Nocardia pneumonia. Disk-diffusion and broth microdilution antibiotic susceptibility testing (MIC less than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml) strongly supported the use of cefuroxime as treatment in this patient. Susceptibility testing with newer cephalosporins should be considered for all significant Nocardia isolates.