Nocardial cerebellar abscess in a case of systemic Lupus erythematosus receiving long term corticotherapy

Abstract

Central nervous system ranks among the favorite sites to get involved by Nocardia astroides. This opportunistic organism complicates many disorders characterized by cellular or humoral immunity disturbances.A 36-year-old woman is being presented, known to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and having received a two year course of corticosteroid treatment. Cerebellar abscess was found on diagnostic imagings performed because of heddaches and dysequilibrium of two weeks duration.Craniectomy was performed and the abscess excised. Nocardia astroides grew in the pus culture. On switching the empirical therapy to a combination of trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole and vancomycin, the patient exhibited dramatic improvement in symptoms later on and postoperative imaging showed an absence of the lesion. We recommend a high index of clinical suspicion for nocardia abscess in patients suffering from SLE and presenting with neurological treatment presents the only plausible option

Keywords

• Nocardia
• Cerebellar abscess
• CNS lupus
• Systemic lupus erythematosus