Nocardiosis in Immunocompromised Patients on Alternative Pneumocystis Prophylaxis

Abstract

Prophylactic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) prevents Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and nocardiosis in immunocompromised patients but sometimes is avoided because of purported allergies or side effects. Of 25 immunocompromised patients receiving alternative prophylaxis in whom nocardiosis developed, 16 subsequently tolerated TMP/SMX treatment. Clinicians should consider TMP/SMX allergy evaluation and rechallenging to assess patient tolerance.

Keywords

• Nocardia
• immunocompromised
• trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
• sulfa
• drug allergy
• bacteria