Rabbit Nocardiosis as a Tuberculosis Mimic: Immunopathology and Translational Gaps : A Narrative Review

Document Type : Review article

Authors

Department of Medical Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Sebha, Sebha, Libya

Abstract

Nocardia spp. are opportunistic, granuloma-forming bacteria whose pulmonary disease can closely mimic tuberculosis (TB), complicating diagnosis and management. Rabbits—capable of developing human-like, organized granulomas with variable necrosis—offer a promising bridge between small-rodent models and human disease. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the immunopathology of Nocardia infection in rabbits, maps points of convergence and divergence with human TB immunology, and highlights critical translational gaps. We examined studies of granuloma architecture, cell-mediated and humoral responses, intracellular survival strategies, and host susceptibility, integrating comparative data from human, rabbit, and rodent work to clarify mechanism and relevance. Overall, rabbits mount robust T-cell–dependent responses and can contain infection within structured granulomas, yet susceptibility varies with inoculum and immune status. Evidence for antibody contributions remains sparse and sometimes conflicting, and host genetic determinants in rabbits are poorly defined relative to known human risk pathways. Targeted studies dissecting B-cell functions, antibody isotypes, and genetic drivers in rabbit nocardiosis are needed to strengthen the model’s translational value for both nocardiosis and TB, and to inform future immunotherapeutic or vaccine strategies

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Egyptian Reviews for Medical and Health Sciences
Volume 6, Issue 1
September 2025
Pages 133-146

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History

  • Receive Date: 31 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 07 September 2025

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