Pulmonary Rhodococcosis an Unrecognized Pulmonary Infection in AIDS Patients

Abstract

Pulmonary rhodococcosis is an uncommon pulmonary infection in human beings, but the case reports have been increasing in HIV-infected patients. We report a female AIDS patient presenting with fever, productive cough and weight loss over 6 weeks. Chest x-ray showed a cavitary lesion with air fluid level in the right upper lobe infiltration. Sputa for AFB stain were negative for 3 consecutive days. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was examined. It showed a gram-positive, weakly acid-fast coccobacilli. The culture grew only Rhodococcus equi. She was treated with erythromycin and rifampin and responded well.

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