Argentina captain Modesto Vazquez said Tuesday that the infection has sapped the 14th-ranked Nalbandian's strength.
"Nalbandian is not in physical condition to play,'' Vazquez said.
Nalbandian was bothered by the infection at the last month's Mexican Open, where he was eliminated by Daniel Koellerer of Austria in the first round.
Seventh-ranked Juan Martin del Potro could replace Nalbandian for the best-of-five series on outdoor clay in Buenos Aires from Friday through Sunday. Del Potro initially decided to skip the first round of the Davis Cup to concentrate on the ATP circuit.
"This is an emergency situation and obviously it's in the plans to call Del Potro,'' Vazquez said. "We have to decide quickly who will replace Nalbandian and we're going to evaluate who is the best.''
Juan Monaco had also been in doubt because of a muscle injury, but he said Tuesday he would play at the Parque Roca Stadium.
"I've recovered,'' Monaco said.
Juan Ignacio Chela and Lucas Arnoldo are also in the team that will face Jesse Huta Galung, Thiemo De Bakker, Matwe Middelkoop and Rogier Wassen for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Nalbandian out of Davis Cup because of illness
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