Natural occurrence of Nocardia in soil of Tucumán: physiological characteristics.

This is the first study initiated in Argentina to establish the presence of species of Nocardia from soil samples. These samples were gathered in different areas of Tucumán. Thirty three pathogenic strains of Nocardia were isolated by the paraffin bait method. Out of them, 28 were N. brasiliensis, 3 N. asteroides and 2 N. caviae. N. brasiliensis was widely distributed in the soil of the areas tested. It is proved that N. caviae, so rarely found in other regions of the world, occurs in Tucumán. A detailed study of the morphological and physiological characteristics for identification is discussed.