Nocardia asteroides

An aerobic gram-positive organism that develop rudimentary to branched vegetative filaments. The colonies are small, leathery and have a granular, powdery or velvety appearance due to the aerial mycelium present. Colonies may be white or salmon to pinkish with a white fringe and may produce an earthy odor. It has been isolated from soil, beach sand, house dust, swimming pools, tap water, plants, compost, and manure. It can cause human infections following inhalation, or by contamination of an area of trauma.

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