Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Medical Bacteriology 2251-8649 4 1-2 2015 01 07 8 14 EN Fatemeh Andalibi Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Student Research Center, Tehran, Iran. Mehdi Fatahi Bafghi Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Parvin Heidarieh Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. Masoumeh Rasouli Nasab Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Shadi Habibnia Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Reza Pourmand Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Seyyed Saeed Eshraghi Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2016 08 08 2016 08 08 Introduction: Nocardia is saprophytic soil bacterium of the actinomycetes families. Nocardia has high diversity of species and due to species diversity of Nocardia, phenotypic tests are essential for early identification of Nocardia species. Methods: 155 soil samples from different regions of North Khorasan province in Iran were collected, including: urban and rural areas. Isolation of Nocardia was performed by paraffin baiting Technique. Identification of Nocardia species was performed by phenotypic methods that are including: hydrolysis of the amino acids, acid production of carbohydrates and, growth at 35° C and 45°C. Results: 11 Nocardia species (7%) were identified . These bacteria were related to the gardens, the sands soils, and soil of town square. No growth was observed at 45°C. As the result, our isolates were identified as Nocardia asteroides complex. Conclusion: Isolation and identification of Nocardia spp. from soil of different regions in North Khorasan province in Iran can help to enhance our understanding of epidemiological and ecological of the pathogenic Nocardia species. https://jmb.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jmb/article/view/176 https://jmb.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jmb/article/download/176/121