BENNET’S AGAR

Description

Nocardia are found worldwide in soil that is rich with organic matter. Most Nocardia infections are acquired by inhalation of the bacteria or through traumatic introduction. Nocardia are opportunistic pathogens, causing disease primarily among the young, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised. Nocardia typically induce a pyogenic response with abscess formation. Nocardia cause disease in every region of the body. However, the regions of the body most affected are lungs, skin, eyes, and muscle. Streptomycetes are found predominantly in soil and in decaying vegetation, and most produce spores. Streptomyces are most commonly limited to causing actinomycotic mycetoma. Areas of the body more prone to formation of mycetomas are those that are frequently traumatized or that come into contact with soil. Developments in cultivation and selective isolation procedures have yielded information on the occurrence, distribution, number and activity of Nocardiaceae family members. Bennets Agar has been recommended by Jones for cultivation of Nocardia.