Nocardia beijingensis brain abscesses in an HIV-infected individual

Abstract

We describe a case of a 50-year-old Hispanic man diagnosed with HIV/AIDS who presented with a generalized tonic clonic seizure and ring enhancing cerebral lesions on imaging. He was initially treated for CNS toxoplasmosis but presented to the hospital with another tonic clonic seizure despite prescribed therapy. Brain biopsy was performed which revealed Nocardia beijingensis. He was treated with intravenous meropenem and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for six weeks followed by long term oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole with radiographic and clinical improvement.

Keywords

• Nocardia
• Beijingensis
• HIV/AIDS
• Brain abscess
• Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
• Seizures
• Alcohol withdrawals
• Toxoplasmosis
• Meropenem