Hi Doug, Here is some basic info that I have available for Norcardia....
Organisms in the N. asteroides complex cause approximately 90% of huma Noracrdia cinfections. They cause bronchopulmonary disease in immunocompromised patients, with a high predilection for hematogenous spread to the central nervous system or skin. Disease can also occur in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases such as bronchitis, empysema, asthma, bronchiestasis, and alveolar proteinosis. Bronchopulmonary infectsion develop after the initial colonization of the oropharynx by inhalation and then aspiration of oral secreations into the lower airways. Chronic infections with sinus tract formation can occur, particularly with primary cutaneous (skin) infections. Norcardia infectsion as exogenous (i.e. caused by organisms not part of the normal human flora). Despte the ubiquitous presence of the organism in soil rich with organic matter and the abundance of immunocompromised patients in hospitals, fewer than 1000 infectsion are documented annually in the U.S. However, most investigators believe that the actual number is much larger. Most reported cases are sporadic and acquired outside the hospital and primarily occur in adult patients. Bronchopulmonary infections caused by Norcardia species cannot be distinguished from infections caused by other pyogenic organisms, although Nocardia infections tend to develop more slowly. Signs such as cough, dyspnea (thirst), and fever are usually present but are not diagnostic. LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS: The specimens collected for the isolation of Nocardia organisms are dictated by the patient's clinical presentation. Multiple sputum should be collected from patients with pulmonary disease because the slow growth of the organism and the presence of contaminating organisms make recovery unreliable. Treatment: Nocardia infections ar treated with the comination of antibiotics and appripriate surgical intervention. Sulfonamids are the antibiotics of choice for treating nocardiosis. Tobramycin, amikacin, and some of the newer beta-lactams also have good in vitro activity, but their in vivo effectiveness is unproved. N. farcinica is the most resistant to antibiotics, including sulfa drugs. Antibiotic therapy should be extended for 6 weeks or more. Becaus Nocardia organisms are ubiquitous, it is impossible to avoid exposure to them. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0"> Lots of info here but I hope it helps! This info was taken from Medical Microbiology - Third Edition. Definitely not off the top of my head. I hope you start feeling better!