Brain Sciences (Sep 2021)

<i>Nocardia farcinica</i> Brain Abscess in a Multiple Myeloma Patient Treated with Proteasome Inhibitor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

  • Nengwen Xu,
  • Linjie Li,
  • Wen Lei,
  • Wenbin Qian

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11091204
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 9
p. 1204

Abstract

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Nocardia brain abscess is relatively rare, accounting for about 1–2% of all brain abscesses, and its mortality rate is three times higher than of other types of bacterial brain abscesses; thus, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Nocardia brain abscess generally occurs in immunodeficient patients. We report a case of Nocardia farcinica brain abscess in a multiple myeloma patient treated with proteasome inhibitor (bortezomib and ixazomib), cyclophosphamide, and corticosteroid. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, together with drainage of the brain abscess. Regular brain MRI follow-ups showed that intracranial lesions were gradually absorbed and improved.

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