Nocardiosis, unspecified

This code represents an infection caused by bacteria of the genus Nocardia, which are aerobic, gram-positive, filamentous organisms. Nocardiosis can manifest as pulmonary, cutaneous, or disseminated disease, often affecting immunocompromised individuals.

Use this code when the medical record documents a diagnosis of nocardiosis, but the specific type or site of infection is not specified. This typically occurs when diagnostic workup is incomplete or the physician has not yet pinpointed the exact presentation.

• Avoid using this code if a more specific site of infection (e.g., pulmonary, cutaneous, cerebral) is documented.
• Always review the entire medical record for further specificity before assigning this unspecified code.
• Consider co-morbidities, especially immunocompromised states, as they often predispose patients to nocardiosis.