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J Clin Microbiol. 1978 November; 8(5): 516-519

Complement fixation antibody test for human nocardiosis.

ABSTRACT

Complement-fixing antibody was detected in 13 of 16 patients with histological and/or culture evidence of infection with Nocardia species. The antigen used was a filtrate of soluble substances secreted into liquid growth medium by cultures of N. asteroides. Apparent false positives reactions were found in three of three patients with leprosy and two of five patients with tuberculosis--results similar to some previously reported methods. N. asteroides and mycobacteria share antigens. Only the false positives with tuberculosis are considered a diagnostic problem. No reactions were obtained with sera from 26 patients with other infections and 41 unifected individuals. Whereas previous nocardia serodiagnostic methods have a sensitivity of approximately 50%, our overall sensitivity (81%) compares favorably and included 9 of 11 positive tests in immunocompromised nocardiosis patients (a source of false negative reactions with previous methods).

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Brown-Elliott, B. A., Brown, J. M., Conville, P. S., Wallace, R. J. Jr (2006). Clinical and Laboratory Features of the Nocardia spp. Based on Current Molecular Taxonomy. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 19: 259-282 [Abstract] [Full Text]