A case report of pulmonary nocardiosis caused by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum

Abstract

Nocardiosis is a rare infection of the lung, brain and skin and can be a localized or disseminated infection. Here, we report a case of a 56-year-old male patient who presented with a right testicular torsion for which right orchiectomy was done in the hospital. In the post-operative period, patient developed increased respiratory insufficiency and was intubated. Chest X-ray revealed bilateral fluffy opacities most likely due to infective etiology. Endotracheal tube aspirate sample was sent for Gram staining and culture, organism present showed characteristics like Nocardia. MALDI-TOF identified organism as Nocardia otitidiscaviarum. The patient was treated with cotrimoxazole and ceftriaxone. His clinical condition improved. We report this case because Nocardia otitidiscaviarum is a rare cause of pulmonary nocardiosis and although there is high mortality reported in nocardiosis, early diagnosis because of the availability of advanced diagnostic technology and prompt treatment can help save the patient.

Keywords

• nocardia
• nocardia otitidiscaviarum
• pulmonary nocardiosis
• maldi-tof