[2] Cutaneous nocardiosis commonly occurs in immunocompetent hosts and is caused in 80% of cases by Nocardia brasiliensis.

have been reported in the normal gingivae and periodontal pockets along with other species such as Actinomyces, Arthromyces [clarification needed] and Streptomyces spp.

Besides those with weak immune systems, a local traumatic inoculation can cause nocardiosis, specifically the cutaneous, lymphocutaneous, and subcutaneous forms of the disease.

These techniques include, but are not limited to: a chest x-ray to analyze the lungs, a bronchoscopy, a brain/lung/skin biopsy, or a sputum culture.

Nocardiae are gram positive, weakly acid-fast, branching rod-shaped bacteria and can be visualized by a modified Ziehl–Neelsen stain such as the Fite-Faraco method.

[citation needed] Nocardiosis requires at least six months of treatment, preferably with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or high doses of sulfonamides.

[citation needed] Treatment also includes surgical drainage of abscesses and excision of necrotic tissue.

The state of the host's health, site, duration, and severity of the infection all play parts in determining the prognosis.