<prompt> Nocardia and actinomyces can be differentiated byGram stainPAS stainSilver stainAFS  <response>: Both are Gram , filamentous rods, slow growing, produce sulfur granulesNocardia is acid fastNocardia spp:General characteristicsCultural characteristicsStrict aerobeAcid fast 1 H2SO4 Selective media - Colistin -nalidixic acid agar, Buffered charcoal yeast agarSelective growth by inoculating at 45 deg CAlso grows in Sabouraud dextrose agar and LJ mediumBiochemical reactionsCatalase positive, urease positiveClinical featuresCauses pneumonia, mycetoma DiagnosisTreatmentParaffin bait technique for isolationCulturePCR assayCotrimoxazoleActinomyces spp:General characteristicsCultural characteristicsGram positive nonmotile, nonsporing, non-capsulated filamentsAnaerobic or microaerophilic and non-acid fastSpidery molar teeth colony in solid media ;Fluffy ball at bottom of liquid mediumClinical featuresFour main clinical forms of Actinomycosis:Cervicofacial with indurated lesions on the cheek Lumpy jaw- most common 60 casesThoracic pleural and pericardiumAbdominal - around caecum 20 casesPelvic- associated with IUCDsDiagnosisTreatmentSulphur granules contain gram-positive bacilli surrounded by clubs - Sunray appearance Actinomycotic grains or sulfur granules - size ranges from 0- 5 mmInoculation of the granules into thioglycollate liquid medium or in BHI agar incubated anaerobically at 37degCSerology: gel diffusion and IFTPenicillin or tetracyclineRef: Ananthanarayan 9th edition, p322 