Rhodococcus species

Microbiology

• Facultative intracellular, non-spore-forming, Gram positive, weakly acid-fast coccobacillus

Background

• Found in dry and dusty soil
• Makes red pigment, hence the name
• Member of the actinomycetes group
• Infects domesticated animals
  • Horses
    • In foals, causes pneumonia
  • Goats
  • Pigs
  • Sheep
  • Cattle
• Can infect immunocompromised people (HIV, etc)

Presentation

• Necrotizing pneumonia is usual presentation