Rhodococcus species

Background

Microbiology

• Facultative intracellular, non-spore-forming, Gram-positive, weakly acid-fast coccobacillus
• Found in dry and dusty soil
• Makes red pigment, hence the name
• Member of the actinomycetes group

Epidemiology

• Infects domesticated animals
  • Horses, and in foals it causes pneumonia
  • Goats
  • Pigs
  • Sheep
  • Cattle
• Can infect immunocompromised people (HIV, etc)

Clinical Presentation

• Necrotizing pneumonia is usual presentation