User:Andrewkur3/sandbox

On people's suggestions: I changed my format from bullet points to paragraph form to include more information and to add some fluidity to my article. I also added proper citations in the text to show where my information was coming from.

Nocardiosis

This article, while providing basic medical information about Nocardiosis, needs work in all the sections. Areas I hope to largely improve are the Signs and Symptoms, because although the information is displayed in an easy to read format, it lacks many key facts that if rewritten into paragraphs could be better included. I also would like to compile a history and distribution sections.

Signs and Symptoms

There are two main types of Nocardiosis - Dissemented and cutaneous. Cutaneous Nocardiosis has been notorious for being misidentified and treated for as a staph infection, specifically superficial skin infections. The reason for this is that many times they are treated empirically, and if the infection clears it is assumed it was a staph infection in origin. Additionally, if a culture was taken of the infection, they are usually discarded after 48 hours. This does not work for Nocardiosis since their cultures tend to take over 48 hours to grow.

Causes

There are many ways people become infected with Nocardiosis. A weakened immune system is a general indicator of someone who is more susceptible to Nocardiosis, such as someone who already has a disease that weakens their immune system. Additionally, those with low T-cell counts or other complications involving T-cells can expect to have a higher chance of becoming infected. Besides those with weak immune systems, a local traumatic inoculation can cause Nocardiosis, specifically the cutaneous, lymphocutaneous, and subcutaneous forms of the disease.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Nocardiosis can be done by a doctor using various techniques. These techniques include, but are not limited to: a chest x-rays of the lung, a bronchoscopy, a brain/lung/skin biopsy, or a sputum culture.

History and Distribution

Although there is not international data available on worldwide infection rates per year, there are roughly 500-1000 documented cases of Nocardiosis a year. Most of these cases occur in men, as there is a 3:1 ratio of male of female cases a year; however, this difference may be based on exposure frequency rather than susceptibility differences. From an age perspective, it is not highly more prevalent in one age group than another. Cutaneous Nocardiosis is slightly more common in middle aged men, but as a whole, all ages are susceptible. Additionally, there is no racial basis when it comes to becoming infected with Nocardiosis.

Mortality facts

The prognosis of Nocardiosis is highly variable. The state of the host's health, where the infection is, duration of the infection, and how severe the infection is all play parts in determining the prognosis. As of now, skin and soft tissue infections have a 100% cure rate, and a pleuropulmonary infections have a 90% cure rate with appropriate therapy. The cure rate falls to 63% with those infected with dissemented Nocardiosis, with only half of those surviving infections that cause brain abscess. . Additionally, 44% of people who are infected in the spinal cord/brain die, and is increased to 85% if that person has an already weakened immune system. Unfortunately, there is not a preventative to Nocardiosis. The only recommendation is protect open wounds to limit access.

Sources
 * Shook, Brent A. "Dermatologic Manifestations of Nocardiosis." Edited by Dirk M. Elston. MedSource, WebMD, 23 July 2014, emedicine.medscape.com/article/1052944-overview. Accessed 11 Oct. 2016.
 * Kurdgelashvili, George. "Nocardiosis." Edited by Michael Stuart Bronze. MedSource, WebMD, 16 Feb. 2016, emedicine.medscape.com/article/224123-overview#showall. Accessed 11 Oct. 2016.
 * Wilson, John W. "Nocardiosis: Updates and Clinical Overview." Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 87, no. 4, Apr. 2012. National Center for Biotechnology Information, doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2011.11.016. Accessed 11 Oct. 2016.


 * Underwood, Corinna. "Nocardia Infection (Nocardiosis)." Edited by George Krucik. Healthline, Heathline Media, 17 Feb. 2016, www.healthline.com/health/nocardia-infection#Overview1. Accessed 11 Oct. 2016.
 * Center of Disease Control and Prevention. "Nocardiosis." CDC, 30 Mar. 2016, www.cdc.gov/nocardiosis/transmission/index.html. Accessed 9 Nov. 2016.